Responding to a broken heart?

Yesterday I was working with a friend of mine. She's a very nice, fun sweet girl. She's a lot of fun and often has a smile on her face. Yesterday her eyes were dark with sadness. She had her arms over her stomach like she had a stomach virus perhaps. She looked ill. I asked her what was going on--if she was okay. She really looked terrible. She told me she was not alright. I asked her what was wrong. She hesitated...

Then she said "My boyfriend broke up with me".

I told her I was sorry. That's all I could think to say. I didn't have a chance to speak with her after that because we were busy. But every once in I while I happened to glance her way and see the pain in her eyes.

I realized that in all my life I had never seen anyone affected quite that deeply by a break-up. I'm not sure why... I've had close friends who've broken up before. Either they were ready for it, or they just weren't around me when they were hurting... or they hid it well.

That's not relevant. What I'm curious is how one should respond in a situation like this. Was my response appropriate? I mean, I didn't really have a chance to say more anyway... but what if it happens to someone I'm closer to? It broke my heart to see her that way... and she's a person I see only at work. I mean, she's a great person, but our friendship really isn't that intimate. I mean, How close can you be with someone you see only at work? ...because that's how close we are.

My heart aches for her right now. I don't know when I'll see her again, but I hope she has a smile on her face.

Anyway... what I'm most looking for is this:

How would you respond? I'm curious.

I haven't posted in a long time.

I haven't been that busy.

I've been quite good, actually. :)

God's been great to me. I've been able to focus on others more. Maybe that's why I don't post as much. This blog is all about me, after all.

I just get a joy out of writing, but haven't felt the need recently. I'm sure someday I'll need to again.

But until then.

Thank you.

All of you who read this regularly--you're good friends.

You're some of my best, actually. And I appreciate you a lot.

that's all for now. :)

Dear friend...

I'm sorry, but I'm just not convinced you care about me at all. Your words feel empty and don't match your actions.




Is it EVER appropriate to say that?...

Even if your heart aches?

Come now, kumquat.

Small. Orange. Beautiful.

I hold you in my hand.

I look at your exterior.

Unlike the rind of others;

Yours is sweet, delicious.

But I know your secret.

Beneath your sweet exterior,

You house something less than desirable.

Acetic bitterness;

a sour core.

The complementary juxtaposition-

It causes dissonance.

Sweet or sour, please choose one.

It would make life much simpler.

Honesty cost me $67.98

I called them. I talked to them. They told me I could either "refuse" the package and send it back, or pay for it.

I didn't really want to do either of those things. I decided to hang on to them anyway to save me the hassle of ordering them later.

She said because of my honesty I'd get a discount and they'd not charge me shipping and handling.

The price I paid is $20.98 less than what I would have if I'd ordered them regularly.

Of course, it's also $67.98 more than if I hadn't said anything at all.

Is the assurance of having done the right thing worth $67.98 to me?

I still don't know where I stand with this. Would it have been a sin to say nothing and keep them? I'm looking for enlightenment.

I'm in no way happy or unhappy about the outcome. I'm rather indifferent. I'm still just trying to shed some light on the moral implications of both sides of this.

Regarding honesty and morality.

I'm going to give you this in straight facts. I will be completely free from emotion. I'm looking for your opinions.

Early January I tore my last pair of contacts. I ordered another set of boxes right away, but I had to switch to glasses temporarily. They were taking longer to arrive than they were supposed to based on the information I had been given when I purchased them. Because of this, I checked the delivery tracking. It told me they had arrived the previous Saturday.

They hadn't.

I called the company and explained my plight. They said they'd send me another two boxes as quickly as they could. A few days later they arrived. All was well.

Then a week or two later they arrived again.

Where are my moral obligations?

Is this just another way God is blessing me or is keeping both pairs dishonest?

What would you think/do? I'm curious. I choose to keep my thoughts on this topic undisclosed for now. I'm seeking others' opinions before I say anything about it.

Thanksgiving.

Well, as many of you know I crashed my Caddy The night before Thanksgiving. As most would imagine, it got me incredibly down. I was talking to a dear friend of mine about this who offered me some sage advice. What she said to me was this:

"first, go read Philippians 4:4-9.

[4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.

9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me–put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. ]

That verse popped into my head and heart when you told me this, and I believe this is what God's speaking to you.

And after you've done that, meditate on the things that God's done for you. Everything that you're thankful for. His provision. Make a list if you have to. And as you enter in this holiday, just to focus on Him and His goodness and His provisions."

That seemed impossible to me at first, and I didn't really do it until later the next day... but I began to think about all of the things that I had been blessed with. I began to write them down even. I started a sort of Thanksgiving book that I write in periodically to remind myself of not only the great things I have, but also the importance of giving thanks.

I still wanted to see a miracle though. I had been praying for a miracle since I need a car and I don't have money. I was talking to Steve about how I needed a car and he said he had a similar problem recently, but was fortunate enough to be blessed with a jeep while his truck was broken. I replied that I was fortunate enough to be blessed with a close network of friends and family who care. I surprised myself a little when I said that.

I think that perhaps my miracle was in the fact that I wasn't hurt at all in the accident, or that I am so incredibly blessed with so much more than I could ask for--and despite not having a car I was still able to get to where I needed to be, or even simply in the fact that God taught me the importance of thanksgiving even in the bad times. It's a lesson I wish I had learned sooner, but I am glad that I have learned it. It has brought me tons of joy.

Furthermore, I hope that this might somehow help my dear readers to realize the importance of thanksgiving. I suggest that you also might write about things you are thankful for. It's a joyful experience.

Also, the insurance adjuster should finally be coming tomorrow. I should be getting a car to use while mine is being repaired. I'll still have my car eventually. God is good.

...And Laura Mounts, if you're reading this... despite our distance and how seldom we see each other, you've been a great friend. I thank God for you often. Your spirit of encouragement is a major gift and a huge blessing to all that are fortunate enough to know you. I pray that God continues to bless you and work in you, knowing that He will as you remain faithfully devoted to Him.

I think that's everything I have to say regarding this... now I have to run downstairs to reset the router so that I can actually post this. Silly internets!

I love you all. Goodnight.