What Do You See When You Look Backward?
Psalm 9:9-10 The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.
As I get older and look back at the relationships of my life, my ex who understandably has her own new life now and is very happy for the past 30 years, my best friend prior to transition who didn’t (couldn’t) continue our friendship after transition – they and others have all played a part in making my life what it is today. Via my (not at the time) ex I met a friend who literally saved my life when I was desperately ready to kill myself. My friend who is no longer my friend introduced me to his church and a form of worship that I love and have continued to this day.
Sometimes God brings people into our lives for a season, and that’s all. They were never meant to be life-long friends, just to contribute to His plan as we follow the path He has laid out for us. Think of it as a road trip and some people are just a stop along the way.
If you’ve recently (or perhaps not so recently) been abandoned by friends, if relationships have ended because you’re transgender – then TRUST that there is a reason. Trust that God had a reason for bringing them into your life at that particular point in time, and that HIS purpose has been fulfilled. DON’T feel like there is something wrong with you because they no longer desire to continue the relationship that they have with you.
If it hasn’t struck you yet, I’m sure at some time in the future you’ll be able to look back and see how God brought these folks into your life for a reason, in THAT particular season – and it’s something to be thankful for. Of course I miss my friend and I’ll always have a special place in my heart for my ex and wish we could be friends – but God sees the BIG picture and we don’t always get to.
The pain of losing friends hurts. Those who meant something special to you no longer wanting to associate with you, it’s painful. But as a child of God we leave it in His hands, we TRUST that there was a reason, even when in the moment – it hurts and we don’t really see a purpose.
Maybe I’ve lived long enough to finally learn these lessons. Maybe you haven’t lived a long time yet, so let me try to pass on to you what I’ve learned the hard way – God is FAITHFUL! He loves you just as you are. People who say otherwise are speaking as people, certainly not as the God of the universe who created you. He loves you. So don’t lean on every relationship in your life being a permanent one, but praise Him for the time He allowed that person to be a part of your life.
Oh, and I haven’t had my last disappointment from other people and neither have you, but God still has a purpose in it – and THAT’S why it’s called FAITH! Stay strong, because you are loved!
….. lessons I’ve learned. Blessings my friends.
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Great article! Applies to all lives.
So glad to be in your life now. I’d like to think that I’m permanently placed 🙂
Like concrete! ❤️
The friends I have lost were important to me years ago, when we were close, but as we drifted apart, it was not as big a loss as I would have thought. One friend who I’ve known for nearly 40 years, but lives on the other side of the country (I haven’t seen them in 10 years) has stopped communicating, and that still stings, but I’m here, and they’re way over there, so it’s not as bad as if they were local. My ex and I don’t talk much (as far as I know, they didn’t know I was trans… Read more »