Broken

I've heard that: If everyone threw their problems in a pile and the rule was that you had to take a problem out of the pile, we would probably all take our own problems back.

I've heard that: If someone asks us how we are doing and we don't have time to tell them about our lives, the answer is probably going to be "good."  If they have a little time to listen, the answer may sound more like, "broken."  If they had a lot of time to listen, we'd probably start sobbing.

How many of you put on a happy face and go through life, tough as you are, only to come home and cry in the shower or in your bed?  How many of us have done that, and nobody ever knows about it?

I'm all for optimism.  I'm all for braving the storm.  I'm all for leaning on God's strength and getting through hard things.  BUT...as a family of Christ followers...we need to listen to others and have compassion for them.  And everyone's problems, and feelings...do matter.

A friend of mine said this to me when we were talking about a similar issue.  She said that sometimes she just wants to say, "ok, i know we all have issues and problems...can you LISTEN to mine please?" 

Why is it that as Christians, we minimize our own, and each others' feelings?   God doesn't say that life will be easier because He is in it.  He promises that He won't leave our side and will walk with us the whole way.  Our pain can still exist, and we can still acknowledge it.  I'm so SICK of hiding my feelings.  I'm SICK of people making me feel like my feelings are unimportant because I have God.  I do have God!  And God lets me feel things!  So can we please talk about those feelings, because they don't get covered up because I'm a Christian!  I have God to get me through it, but it still exists!  As a Christian community, we need to support each other.  That means we are to laugh with each other...AND mourn with each other!

If we are upset about something, or have a feeling about something...it is there for a reason.  Can we listen to each other and build one another up?  Instead of making that person feel isolated in their feelings, can we support and encourage them, and acklowledge that their feelings are real and legitimate?  Can we come together during difficult times and mourn for one another, and praise God for never leaving our side? 

Can we take the challenge to practice REAL Christian community and fellowship, and do life together?  Can we develop close, meaningful relationships and do everything possible to lift each other up?

Come on Church.  That's all of us.  I know we're all tired and broken. 

To my brothers and sisters who have been there for me no matter what, and who have laughed and mourned with me.  Thank you SO much for your support.  Thank you for never telling me that my feelings are over the top, or making me feel like they are unimportant.  Please forgive me for times that I haven't been the same for you.  I know I am definitely guilty of minimizing peoples' feelings, and not really listening.  Thank you for your patience with me. 

Loving you,
Alex