Can You Reach My Friend?
Got a call from my former secondary school classmate on Friday inviting me to her house for dinner. Some friends, but mostly family members and relatives would be there, too. She refused to tell me the occasion, just asked me to be there. So I went and it turned out to be her son's birthday...apparently she didn't want me to get any present, not even an ang bao.
It was not much of a celebration, really. Just a couple of mahjong tables set up, an open dinner table, free and easy. The kids were upstairs playing computer games while the adults kept their hands busy on full white tiles. These are semi-pros playing, so, way above my league.
Anyway, I had the chance to sit down with my old friend and she revealed that she and her husband will be signing the divorce papers soon. An eye-frowning moment. Though, sadly, it was really the fact that they stayed married till now that was more of a surprise to me.
It pains me greatly to look at her countenance as we continued chatting. I can see that she's feeling trapped in this whole mess that she has helped to create. I felt so helpless but I knew I was in no position to offer any advice, or anything at all. I supposed advice is not what she needs right now. The should and should not's aren't going to change anything. I'm sure she's trying her best to cope with the consequences and regrets. As much as I wished there was something I could do for my friend, at this moment, the most practical thing to do would be just to lift her and the family up in prayer.
It's strange how songs have been speaking to me nowadays. As I stepped into the lift at my friend's on my way home, the chorus of an old song by Helen Baylor came to my mind.
Can You reach my friend?
You’re the only One who can
Lord, I know You love her
Help her understand
Can you reach my friend?
Bring her searching to an end
Help her give her heart to You
Dear Abba Father, I know you love my friend, too. It is not Your will that any should perish and You have great plans for her. Help her to see them, Abba. She needs You more than she knows. Open up her eyes to see her real needs and that You hold the answer to all her questions and problems. I lift her up into Your hands. In Jesus' name, amen!
It was not much of a celebration, really. Just a couple of mahjong tables set up, an open dinner table, free and easy. The kids were upstairs playing computer games while the adults kept their hands busy on full white tiles. These are semi-pros playing, so, way above my league.
Anyway, I had the chance to sit down with my old friend and she revealed that she and her husband will be signing the divorce papers soon. An eye-frowning moment. Though, sadly, it was really the fact that they stayed married till now that was more of a surprise to me.
It pains me greatly to look at her countenance as we continued chatting. I can see that she's feeling trapped in this whole mess that she has helped to create. I felt so helpless but I knew I was in no position to offer any advice, or anything at all. I supposed advice is not what she needs right now. The should and should not's aren't going to change anything. I'm sure she's trying her best to cope with the consequences and regrets. As much as I wished there was something I could do for my friend, at this moment, the most practical thing to do would be just to lift her and the family up in prayer.
It's strange how songs have been speaking to me nowadays. As I stepped into the lift at my friend's on my way home, the chorus of an old song by Helen Baylor came to my mind.
Can You reach my friend?
You’re the only One who can
Lord, I know You love her
Help her understand
Can you reach my friend?
Bring her searching to an end
Help her give her heart to You
Dear Abba Father, I know you love my friend, too. It is not Your will that any should perish and You have great plans for her. Help her to see them, Abba. She needs You more than she knows. Open up her eyes to see her real needs and that You hold the answer to all her questions and problems. I lift her up into Your hands. In Jesus' name, amen!
