Salt Leaven and Light

I love this story of the meth addict and church leader. It’s a great example of how to love a person, while at the same time not being supportive of their behavior.

I’m grateful for the individuals in my life who loved me during my lowest times, while at the same time encouraging me to rise to greater heights.

After my divorce, I found it easy to be angry, and could list off 101 reasons why that anger was justified.

While some individuals tried to support me by simply agreeing with everything I shared, I found I was drawn to individuals who loved me through the anger and tears, while at the same time challenging me to see things from a different perspective, and to make judgement based on truth versus based on feelings.

These individuals understood that anger is a secondary emotion. The primary emotions to anger are almost always hurt and/or pain.

These individuals sat with me for hours, over a period of years, encouraging me to work through the hurt and pain so that I could eliminate the anger and rise to greater heights. (NOTE: It’s a hundred times easier to be angry than it is to work through hurt and pain, but working through the hurt and pain and eliminating the anger is SO worth it!)

These individuals saw my negative, rebellious behavior for what it was–evidence of deep hurt and pain. They helped me face the hurt and pain, unpeeling it layer by layer like an onion. That unpeeling process led to many anquished tears, raw emotions, and, finally, thankfully, incremental healing. They loved me through the duration of the journey, and celebrated with me each time I rose to greater heights.

I’m grateful for these individuals who loved me, but not my behavior, and who challenged me to make choices that would lead to my greater happiness.

Such individuals are rare and invaluable.