It's Not Supposed To Be Like This

Mel and I recently met up with a friend via internet. I spent some time reading this friend's blog tonight. We love this person a lot, respect them and look forward to seeing them again.

How saddened we were to learn of the divorce. As I read, I hurt for this person. Internally weeping at times, wondering why God allows situations like this to happen. Not just the divorce, but several things that have happened in this person's life over the last few years.

It's not supposed to be like this!!!

When I was younger I read a lot. I still read a lot, actually. I love to read. But when I was younger, the stories in the books were 'far away' stories. I had little life experience and the stories were like fantasy land in many ways. Historical fiction, romance, science fiction, Westerns, and so forth. I really didn't know anyone like these people - or at least I couldn't imagine that any one I actually knew was like any of those people.

Now I know better.

My friends, my family members, people in the churches we have been in, pastor friends and their wives, other missionary friends - we are all like these people I read about - except we are REAL.

The joys are real. The pain is real.

And that is where it hurts tonight. That is why I weep internally for this friend.

It isn't supposed to be like this in real life. Right? Please?

No, in real life it is even worse that what I read. Real people hurt real hurts. And there is nothing I can do. There is no way I can put a bookmark in their life and close it for awhile until I decide I want to finish their story.

No, in real life the pain continues, day by day by day and so many times, most of the time, all I can do is sit on the sidelines and watch. Or listen. And pray.

I'm praying for you tonight, friend. I pray God will continually make you aware that He is holding you in His arms, that you are His special child, and that He loves you beyond your wildest imaginations. I am so thankful that you cling to Him, seek Him, still love Him. He will never let you go. Never.

I will continue to pray for you.

(And wow - I had no idea you were such a good writer!)