Recently I have been struggling with a situation that has consumed most of my time and energy. In September I accepted a position on the Student and Family Ministry Committee at my church, working with our Middle School Ministry. If I knew then what I know now, I probably would not have accepted the position. God obviously knew this is where I needed to be.
A serious situation surfaced with the leadership in this ministry last Wednesday that has required many hours of meetings, telephone conversations, emails and planning. As a result of these events a couple of things have come to mind. Today I will share my first thought.
God never ceases to amaze me. As my fellow committee members and I worked through this situation, I was surprised how my experience with divorce was able to bring a different perspective, possible solutions and/or helpful ideas to the situation. As the only divorced person on the committee, I was able to offer a different perspective than anyone else. Each member has their own unique gifts, experiences and perspectives that they bring to the group, for which we are all grateful. Even though I am not grateful for my divorce, I must say it has given me a different perspective to share with others in many situations.
Whether you are in the middle of a divorce or if you have recently completed the process, rest assured your experience will not be wasted. God does use our experiences, our pains, our trials and what we learn in the process to help others, or share a different perspective that only those who have gone through say a divorce might know. It may be in a way that you would never expect.
Be prepared to draw upon the things you have learned or heard while going through a divorce and how they might apply or be helpful in other situations. As a divorced person you may bring a unique perspective to a situation that others may not see. Do not be afraid to speak up and share what you know or what you have learned. What you have to offer may just be what others need to hear or contribute to a better solution.
Feel free to share your comments below how God may have used or be using your experience with divorce to help others. Possibly you have been able to contribute something to a group or situation as a result of your divorce or the experience. What you share may prove helpful to others.
Copyright 2009 Shelley Grieser All rights Reserved
Shelley…another fantastic post! Unfortunately, churches used to treat those who had been divorced as virtual lepers. It’s not as bad now as it used to be. Your insight about God using our experiences, whether from good or bad sources, to benefit others is powerful and one we should never forget. Keep up the great work!
God bless,
Jerry
Thank you, Jerry. I appreciate your kind comments. Most of the committees I have served on in my church, I have been the only divorced person. Thankfully I have not been treated as a leper. Still room for progress in the church.
Blessings,
Shelley
I hope that I can someday get to the place where I can use this “experience” (divorce) in a way that would help someone else or in a situation like you describe. I am not even close to being at a place emotionally where I could do that! Thanks for all of the perspectives you have shared on this tough and most devastating topic. I appreciate it and enjoy reading your postings. It has eased my pain a bit.
Thank You for sharing. I hope you read the post about “Just Enough Light for the Step I’m On.” When you are “going through” the transition, the tough times, surviving each step and taking another one, you are getting stronger. It may not seem like it but you are and as you grow and continue to move forward, God will use this expereince. He will not waste what you are going through. He WILL use it for good, in due time. Trust Him. Blessings to you.