- This topic is empty.
-
Posts
-
I wanted to share this…. Recently the stake president called to see if he could come visit me, to see how I’m doing, and bring one of the general authorities. I consider the SP a friend and was glad to let him come over. Some know that I’m in the middle of a divorce.
I won’t go into details, but we had a nice discussion–more friendly than anything. The general authority shared some of the challenges he has had in life, which I appreciated. They aren’t quite the same as I’ve encountered (not just different but his were clearly more challenging) but the comonality was that there were moments of sadness and pain. I broke down, briefly, a couple times during the conversation because of some emotions I was feeling but we didn’t talk in lots of detail about my situation. It’s pretty clear what has happened. I did express some doubts about spiritual things as a result of my divorce and the events around it.
At the end when they were leaving, the GA asked if he could give me a hug. Of course. Well, he gave me a great big hug and softly said, “I’m so sorry.”
This touched me deeply. I could tell he was concerned and genuinely wanted to express sorrow for my family’s situation. The visit with both men was pleasant but at the end this is what I needed and was–and will be–grateful for his kindness and love at that moment.
Alex, thanks so much for sharing this. And please remember that you have friends here, who hope for the best for you.
Thanks for sharing, Alex. My interaction with GAs has been very limited, but I do believe they are generally good men with good hearts doing what they believe is right. I believe this even about the ones I disagree with or see as hardliners. “Kindness is my religion.” – 14th Dalai Lama. Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk
DarkJedi wrote:Thanks for sharing, Alex. My interaction with GAs has been very limited, but I do believe they are generally good men with good hearts doing what they believe is right. I believe this even about the ones I disagree with or see as hardliners.
I agree with this. I really don’t think that people like Elder Callister are bad men. They are well-intentioned people with opinions I disagree with and a communication technique I don’t appreciate. But I think (and hope) their hearts are in the right place.
I was trying to avoid naming names, but yes, Mac, Elder Callister was in my head when I wrote that. Elder Oaks and Elder Evans popped up, too. I did meet Elder Oaks once a long time ago. But I’m standing by what I said – I do think they are good men and I don’t think they are malicious. I have a friend in the SP who isn’t liked by a lot of people. He’s got a weird personality and many people are put off by him. I’ve known him for many years and sometimes his quirks get to me, too. But since I know him well enough, I realize that he means no harm, is really good hearted, and he doesn’t usually realize he is doing something that might be offensive to some. I think he’s much like these guys – they just don’t hear themselves or see themselves in the mirror but they are good people. (Reminds me of Sixth Sense, actually 
On Own Now wrote:Alex, thanks so much for sharing this.
And please remember that you have friends here, who hope for the best for you.
I ditto this!
You have friends here in our unique ward. That story was heartwarming.
Aww, that’s really nice! I love how caring they were towards you. Loving and helping each other out during hard times is what it’s all about. Thank you for sharing this!
It seems like they were listen more than talking. That’s a skill few have, and is so necessary for leadership. A very heartwarming story; may all our interactions with our leaders be as touching.
Alex wrote:At the end when they were leaving, the GA asked if he could give me a hug. Of course. Well, he gave me a great big hug and softly said, “I’m so sorry.”
I can get worked up about many things, but there is so much comfort people can give each other. I hope I’ll always see the opportunity to give
andreceive that comfort and say, “Of course.” Thanks for sharing this here. Alex – in all your pain, you uplifted me with this post. I wish I could do the same to you in return. Recently I have been “wrapped around the axel” as my husband says about a few things and few people. People of the GA’s caliber. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t let enough steam off to keep balanced. Then out of the blue came your experience. I read it shortly after you posted it, but I was overcome I had no words to say. I’ve read it again and again since you posted it. In the words of Judah Ben Hur “took the sword from my heart.”
Thank you.
I appreciate the kind remarks from everyone. I thought it was something worth sharing and that might be uplifting. I’m not the kind of person that wants visits or help from anyone; I enjoy giving service myself, but I generally want to be left alone (odd, maybe.) But this visit was something I suppose that I needed. There was no talk of “How is your faith?” or ‘we’re going to try to fix you’…it was just “We want you to know we care” and it wasn’t overwhelming. It came from the right people with the right intentions.
One more thing I remembered that was meaningful: Before the GA left, he remarked that it’s the atonement which should always be our focus and the salve for our dispair and challenges. Think of the many discussions we have on this board reflecting on our desire that this would have greater emphasis on Sundays, in aspects of our service and lives! It was reassuring to hear him say this.
That sounds like a great visit. Thanks for sharing it. I don’t think you’re odd at all in wanting to be left alone. I certainly don’t want to be “rescued” or “fixed” and I don’t want to be somebody’s project and I don’t want someone assigned to be my friend. On the other hand, if people want to come and talk to me, even about gospel topics, I’m not opposed to that. And I’m glad the GA made note of that. I am very open with my thought that we do not emphasize the Savior enough in our meetings and people outside the church notice that. More importantly, I do think it helps us to focus on what is really important, which is the gospel of Jesus Christ. Thanks for sharing this. I agree they are good people doing their best, and it is important for us to hear the good when it happens.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.