Monday, July 21, 2008

forgiveness and hope

Today I had lunch with an old friend. We had been very close for more than five years before she moved away. I looked to her not only as a friend, but a mentor and counselor. She taught me so much about God, ministry, and myself. I cried the day she left.

She told me when she moved away that she wasn't the type to keep in touch. She didn't do email and she definitely didn't do snail mail. It was pretty much the end of our friendship. I had to accept that and be content with having her friendship for that phase of my life.

She would come back to visit occasionally and it was always good to see her but it was a hug and no more than a few minutes of conversation. The last time she was in town was during a time when I wasn't in a good place. It was when we were making the decision to leave our church. She was going to be in town for a couple of weeks and I told her I would really like to get together with her. I needed my wise friend and counselor. I told her my time was flexible and she said she would be in touch so we could grab at least a coffee.

For the next two weeks I waited for her call.... and waited... and waited. She never called. I was so hurt. My mind went wild with reasons why she didn't call - why she wouldn't want to meet with me. I was sure it had something to do with why we were leaving the church, but the truth is, I really don't know why.

That was two years ago. I hadn't heard a word from her since that time. It was very easy for me to stay hurt and mad. Satan not only uses our weaknesses against us, but our pain. It would have been very easy for me to stay mad and nurse that wound so that it would never heal. I felt justified in that thinking.

But somewhere along the way, I realized that that kind of thinking and wound nursing was not helping me - in fact, it was hurting me. I knew I needed to forgive this friend, even though she had no idea that she had hurt me. I needed to do this for me, not her. So, this was indeed what I did, with God's help.

About three months ago I heard some news that both excited and scared me. My friend was moving back, taking a job with our old church. I realized I was most likely going to come face to face with her at some point. I also realized that forgiveness was so much easier when I didn't have to face the one that hurt me. I didn't know what I was going to do. I did the only thing I knew to do; pray and put it all in God's hands.

And God is faithful. My friend and I ran into each other in the most unexpected place a couple of weeks ago. Thankfully, the place didn't afford us the opportunity to really talk. My friend said she wanted to meet for lunch so we set up a time and place. This gave me the time I needed to pray and prepare myself for this meeting. I wasn't sure what to expect. Even though I had forgiven her, I wasn't sure how I would respond to being with her. I wasn't sure how she was going to respond to me. I'll be honest - I was scared.

Today was the day. We met for lunch. And it went well, very well. It was almost like no time had passed from the old times. There was no hurt on my side or uncertainty on her's. I thank God for that and the opportunity to renew our friendship. There might be some future unease since she's working for the church that we loved and left, but thankfully, God can work that out. With God, anything is possible. He's made that clear to me through this situation.

14 comments:

Family W said...

Hi Diana,

I'm so glad you got to meet with her and that God has mended your relationship and healed your heart.

God Bless,
Lynn

Anonymous said...

That's how you know you're true friends. You can just pick up where you left off. I'm glad it went well.

Pen of Jen said...

Isn't God great? I am really glad that you shared this as it is an example to us all...it is helpful in my walk.
Jennifer

Unknown said...

What a beautiful story but so unimaginable for me to think of purposely losing touch with those I love.

I'm so glad you reconnected!

Heidi Jo Comes said...

like we've all heard so many times before, forgiving isn't for the one who has hurt us, it is what sets us free.

that took a lot of courage.

Just Mom said...

"There might be some future unease since she's working for the church that we loved and left, but thankfully, God can work that out. With God, anything is possible."

Absolutely!

Melissa said...

I'm so glad you were able to have lunch with her and feel that forgiveness in your heart! Hopefully you'll continue your friendship!

Anonymous said...

It's always nice when things can come full circle, especially in friendship.

Jamey said...

I am so glad your lunch went well. That's a good feeling when you can pick up where you left off. Forgiveness is hard in certain situations and it sounds like you have done well with it!

Lori said...

I'm glad that you are able to reconnect with a friend.
I know it is hard to stay in touch when friends move away.
So glad she moved back.
You are so right. With God anything is possible.

Susan said...

I'm so proud that you allowed God to win this battle and not satan!!!! I pray the relationship become so great that it FAR outshadows the first one with her that meant so much to you.
Susan

Unknown said...

God is so good! What a blessing that He has given you healing and a restored friendship.

MightyMom said...

yes, it is easier to forgive from afar...it's also eaier NOT to forgive from afar.

I'm sorry for your hurt. I'm grateful for you sharing this story as it is a good lesson to hold onto.

I've always found a brief "what happened" to put an end to the nagging thoughts, and then face forward and move on. It takes too much energy to remember the hurt..really it does.

Dana a/k/a Sunshine said...

That is so neat how you handled it. I am like you in that I keep in touch with people and I don't really understand how someone can purposely not keep in touch with someone else. It seems so odd to me. But, I'm glad you were able to reconnect with her.