I am the princess and the pea.  If one hundred people came up to me and ninety-nine spoke kind words, I’d fixate on the one who didn’t.  I do this with readers and blog commenters, I do this with friends and family.  I do this all the time.

I recently sent out an update on my kids and family situation, leaving out the horrible details of how difficult things have really been.   Ninety-nine percent of those who’ve responded so far said things like, “Praying for you right now,” and “I’m so sorry this continues to be hard,” and “Loving you through this!”.

Ahh, but then that thorny one percent.  I read platitudes and unsolicited advice and, basically, “suck it up…your thing isn’t that bad”.

I felt unheard, again.  I felt un-understood, again.  I felt unloved, yet again.

What I’m going through is not the worst thing in the world…I’ve never once said that it is.  But it is a big deal.  I hate that I feel I have to shout that from the mountaintops sometimes.

I brought it to Jesus last night as I was trying to fall asleep, feeling all displaced and unhinged.  He reminded me that the people who truly know me and get me see how hard this is and have never tried to shut me up with small words that prick and wound.  And he reminded me that he sees it all…that he knows that a family coming apart is one of the most difficult things to endure…and that he will always, always listen to me and understand me and love me.  One hundred percent of the time.

If this post encouraged you, you would benefit from “Unraveling: Hanging onto Faith through the End of a Christian Marriage”, found here or “Living through Divorce as a Christian Woman”, found here.