We arrived at Stake Conference yesterday morning and got a row in the cultural hall about 5 rows from the BACK! We were even early, if you can believe it! I noticed a friend of mine and her family sitting on the very back row of chairs. She and I went to high school together even though we were in different wards and stakes. We danced in dance festivals together. One of the advantages to growing up in the 'mission field' was that our circle of LDS friends was very large and we stuck together. When we moved here 14 years ago, she was in our ward. Neither one of us have moved, but with the growth, the ward boundaries have changed a lot and now we are in different parts of the stake.
My first thought was to smile and nod hello and sit in my seat. I don't know why, but I didn't even put my bag down and walked over to her and she put her arms out and we hugged. I asked her how she was doing. Her response to me was not all that well, and she had gotten Mike's wedding invitation in the mail the day before and was happy for him. I sat down next to her. She began pouring out her heart to me. She has had many struggles. Especially with 4 or her 6 children.
The conference started. My seat in the row with my family was now taken, so I stayed where I was. She continued to talk. She NEEDED to have someone listen and she needed someone to understand. Without judgment. She has been feeling like she can't go on. That Sunday is the worst day of the week for her because she had to come to church and face everyone elses 'perfect' families who are 'living the dream' and her dream has been broken. She has been becoming more withdrawn. I put my arm around her and held her hand and let her whisper all her discouragement to me. There were tears, from her and me. We sat that way for most of the meeting taking encouragement from the words of the speakers.
When it was over and she left, she told me that she could face another week. That I had given her hope because I understood from my own personal experiences with my own children. My heart was touched that I could help someone in this way. I so often felt as she did and didn't know who I could turn to. I'm grateful she could turn to me, and that my adversities and what I continue to learn have been for some good.
It was such a small thing to go to say hi to her instead of sitting down in my chair. I'm glad I followed the prompting. I too was strengthened. I need to do that more often.
2 comments:
Awesome - you're just that kind of person. Watch out! They may call you to Stake RS Pres!
Those kinds of experiences are always so awesome and they are always for a specific reason. Sharing and talking with someone you know and trust always helps combat the bad that may be happening in your life. Too often we hold it all inside or inside our family rather than actually sharing it with others so they can help us get through it. I remember when Jennifer got pregnant. One of the first things my mom did was stand up in Relief Society and announce it and told the sisters that she would appreciate them not talking about Jennifer or our family behind our backs - but that if they had something to say about it, to say it. That really helped curb a lot of gossip as well as opened the door to my mom's heart and allowed others in the ward to know that she needed their prayers and friendship.
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