tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4788049007310157132.post1266586908347148093..comments2023-05-15T07:04:14.094-07:00Comments on road less traveled: What a Foreclosure Sign Meanstravelmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17501099420533319533noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4788049007310157132.post-47848983076941179502009-11-18T19:31:52.545-08:002009-11-18T19:31:52.545-08:00This touches a nerve in me -- maybe because it'...This touches a nerve in me -- maybe because it's so personal for you, and all the details (the vomit, the coupon-clipping, the money counting) leave me feeling a sense of so little hope, of shame tinged with despair. How beautiful that you can speak and love with true empathy from a place of experience. The suffering makes us more human and real somehow -- to be able to identify with that in others really is a gift.<br /><br />Thank you for sharing this memory, for drawing me in with your words.kirstenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09789771023962578029noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4788049007310157132.post-16214634862137218102009-11-15T18:13:09.834-08:002009-11-15T18:13:09.834-08:00Oh friend, this is one of the best posts I've ...Oh friend, this is one of the best posts I've read in a long time. I mean that. So full of rich memories and truth, pain and conflict. Sadness, yes sadness. It hurts my heart to think of any child having to handle life too early. I think you qualify.<br /><br />Thank you for sharing a part of your story that has, undoubtedly, written your present in many ways. <br /><br />I'm moved to tears, and that doesn't happen often with posts I read.<br /><br />peace~elaineelaine @ peace for the journeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09675745465728814736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4788049007310157132.post-81546043266438810142009-11-14T23:36:49.552-08:002009-11-14T23:36:49.552-08:00Thank you for your words of encouragment everyone....Thank you for your words of encouragment everyone. <br />Andrea and Glynn,<br />Yes, the question is what is the body to do in such circumstances? While I admit ours was a unique and multi-layered situation, the sad truth is, the body is ill-equipped to minister to brothers and sisters in less drastic situations. I remember feeling like an anathema- people avoided us when we needed them most. We were fortunate to have some dear ones who came along side us - but they were few. I sympathize with those who didn't know what to do- I'm sure they felt great sadness for our situation - but the truth is feeling great sadness is not the same as ministering a cold cup of water - or a bag of groceries to a family in their dark journey of the soul. Which ultimately means the church is failing to teach her people how to rightly love one another. I think we lead by example. We ask the Lord to give us eyes to see what he wants us to see and we pray for hearts to love like our Savior loved. Even as I post this reply I know I do not faithfully pray this. Yes Glynn, you are so right, we can't do everything and sometimes the need is overwhelming. But we can do something - I think most of the time we are comfortable and removed from the pain some of our brothers and sisters carry. Again - I think it reminds us of our constant need to pray without ceasing in order that we may be useful vessels to our Lord. Sometimes it is as simple as a note of encouragement, a homemade meal, or a visit to the house of mourning. It is spending ourselves for those who bear the image of our Savior, and sharing those dark valleys God has brought us through with others to let them know that they do not walk them alone.travelmomhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17501099420533319533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4788049007310157132.post-41078115777331039502009-11-14T20:10:54.381-08:002009-11-14T20:10:54.381-08:00This story tore at my heart. The question is -- wh...This story tore at my heart. The question is -- what do we do if we see something similar? Do we turn our heads? What is the body of Christ called to do? We know we can't do everything -- but what can we do?Glynnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10802111972232088511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4788049007310157132.post-24059685497394791232009-11-14T19:23:50.566-08:002009-11-14T19:23:50.566-08:00This post touched me deeply. During my first marri...This post touched me deeply. During my first marriage, I faced many similar circumstances along with the abuse. Deep in my heart, those circumstances impacted me greater than the abuse. I get it. I know the feeling you are talking about. I was overcome with tears and even some anger as I read your post. <br />I am horrified when I see signs like that in a yard. I always pray and wonder about the children and all those affected. What will happen to them?<br />Blessings, hugs, and prayers, andreaAndreahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03082891172963869545noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4788049007310157132.post-66194495924867268992009-11-14T16:15:26.478-08:002009-11-14T16:15:26.478-08:00This was so beautiful. I believe that one reason G...This was so beautiful. I believe that one reason God allows us to go through very difficult things is to give us new eyes in orser to broaden the vision of others. Your experience, now passed on to me, has given me new eyes too. I will never drive past another foreclosure sign without thinking of you...of loss and shattered contentment and a mouse lying dead on the floor.Cynthiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07493703623233516037noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4788049007310157132.post-75430911927172843612009-11-14T15:33:16.172-08:002009-11-14T15:33:16.172-08:00I haven't thought much about the people on the...I haven't thought much about the people on the other side of that sign, but after reading this, I certainly will from now on. With the economy the way it is today, that could easily be any one of us. Unless our house is paid for and we have significant funds on hand, a couple of bad months (or even weeks) could see a lot of these signs. This will make anyone who reads it more sensitive. Thank you.Warren Baldwinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17956713921509659993noreply@blogger.com