Love

Most who read my blog will not know who I'm referring to.  A few of you will.  This is my journal and this has made an impact in my life, so it needs to be here.

Back when we lived in CO, I knew this great couple who had two great little kids and then had twins.  I was one of the mom's visiting teachers and her husband was on the high council in our stake.  They are super parents and great public speakers.  The biggest thing I remember about them was how genuinely nice they are.  I considered them friends, but we weren't close- I was only close to a couple of other moms in the ward... it was an okay ward, but we never really felt like we truly fit.  They on the other hand, did feel like they fit.  That just happens.

We moved and lost contact until facebook.  Even then, they were super busy, we were super busy, and our interaction on facebook was limited.

Then one day I noticed a post from her that mentioned a resignation letter.  I googled it, because I guessed but didn't know for sure what this would be referring to.  Then later another post with a video about why people leave the mormon church.  I was seriously stunned.  No assumptions, no "they must haves" just stunned.  They are about the last people on the earth I'd anticipate such a decision from.

Then the post with the links to the videos of their explanation of it all.

I cried and cried.  I still tear up just thinking about it.  Why on earth would I cry?

Because they had the rug pulled out from under them.  The price is just too high.  I don't like watching people hurt and suffer because their family and most friends don't know how to talk to them anymore.  These are people who really do love others.  They deserve the same in return.  They deserve effort.  They deserve understanding.

I have my own history with this sort of thing.

And if any of you remember, my own family's reaction to my decision to leave was the biggest thing that made my returning possible.  While others reactions pushed me farther away and hurt so bad.

I pray that those surrounding this family will realize they are worth the effort to just continue to be friends and family like always. Just like they were before they left... even if they never do return.  Because in reality, they are still there!

I pray that they will continue to feel the love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have for them.  And that they will continue to feel His presence in their lives and see His blessings.  I'm sure they will, because He does.

And I pray that people within the church will learn from things like this, stop getting all worked up over the wrong stuff and put the focus back on being true Christians.  Obsessing over every freaking little detail isn't healthy, it's suffocating.  We know better.