Sarah's Solution
So how far would you go with grace?
Sarah and Jackie had been friends for years and then Sarah had to move away because her Dad got a new job. Jackie had relied on Sarah's friendship as a strength and support many times during their years of friendship and Sarah too, relied on Jackie. Something went sour and Jackie couldn't cope with changes that were happening around her. Sarah continued writing her letters and calling her, encouragin her to come out with the other girls when she was visiting. She was trying to be her friend. But Jackie stopped responding, or if she did, it was only something nasty. Sarah didn't know what to do, she only wanted to be a friend, a support, like she used to be. She knew that Jackie was having a hard time at home and in her life, but any time that she offered to talk or help Jackie would throw the words, 'It's none of your business' back at her. Sarah was often hurt by her words and so she decided to confront Jackie about how she was feeling. She didn't really get anywhere, besides the fact that Jackie still wanted her as a friend.
The only thing that Sarah had her hope on now was that one Jackie might turn around and see that she was there, trying to be her friend and hold her hand through the tough times. Sarah wasn't going to give up, no matter how much people told her they would've given up by now. Sarah continually thought about her life, and the gift that it is. Knowing the pain from Jackie's words to her, the stabbing in the gut and how that made her feel turned her world into a different light. 'Wow', she thought, 'If I feel this when Jackie hurts me...imagine what God must feel when I deny His name and say He's not there. Imagine how much pain Jesus went through so that I could be here today with the second chance to live how I was created to live.' Sarah knew that God had graciously accepted her, with all her faults and flaws - even the ones still to come. So she had no reason to not pursue her friendship with Jackie. It is only by grace that Sarah can love and be loved, she saw no reason that she couldn't show this grace and love to someone else.
So Sarah knew that she would have to endure some hurtful words and responses in order to keep trying to pursue her friendship with Jackie. She knew that it required patience and self-control. She knew that she couldn't let what anybody else thought blur her vision of what she saw as best to do. The heartache that Sarah would endure through this one friendship would be a small pin-prick in comparison to the physical that Jesus endured for her and those around her when he was pierced by nails and hung on a cross. She knew that would only be a pinch of pain in comparison to the emotional heartache and agony that Mary would've felt seeing her own child being tormented, harrassed, whipped, stoned and mocked. So with that in mind, Sarah was determined to tough it out and stick at it. After all, perhaps she was being taught a lesson in patience and self-control too.
Sarah and Jackie had been friends for years and then Sarah had to move away because her Dad got a new job. Jackie had relied on Sarah's friendship as a strength and support many times during their years of friendship and Sarah too, relied on Jackie. Something went sour and Jackie couldn't cope with changes that were happening around her. Sarah continued writing her letters and calling her, encouragin her to come out with the other girls when she was visiting. She was trying to be her friend. But Jackie stopped responding, or if she did, it was only something nasty. Sarah didn't know what to do, she only wanted to be a friend, a support, like she used to be. She knew that Jackie was having a hard time at home and in her life, but any time that she offered to talk or help Jackie would throw the words, 'It's none of your business' back at her. Sarah was often hurt by her words and so she decided to confront Jackie about how she was feeling. She didn't really get anywhere, besides the fact that Jackie still wanted her as a friend.
The only thing that Sarah had her hope on now was that one Jackie might turn around and see that she was there, trying to be her friend and hold her hand through the tough times. Sarah wasn't going to give up, no matter how much people told her they would've given up by now. Sarah continually thought about her life, and the gift that it is. Knowing the pain from Jackie's words to her, the stabbing in the gut and how that made her feel turned her world into a different light. 'Wow', she thought, 'If I feel this when Jackie hurts me...imagine what God must feel when I deny His name and say He's not there. Imagine how much pain Jesus went through so that I could be here today with the second chance to live how I was created to live.' Sarah knew that God had graciously accepted her, with all her faults and flaws - even the ones still to come. So she had no reason to not pursue her friendship with Jackie. It is only by grace that Sarah can love and be loved, she saw no reason that she couldn't show this grace and love to someone else.
So Sarah knew that she would have to endure some hurtful words and responses in order to keep trying to pursue her friendship with Jackie. She knew that it required patience and self-control. She knew that she couldn't let what anybody else thought blur her vision of what she saw as best to do. The heartache that Sarah would endure through this one friendship would be a small pin-prick in comparison to the physical that Jesus endured for her and those around her when he was pierced by nails and hung on a cross. She knew that would only be a pinch of pain in comparison to the emotional heartache and agony that Mary would've felt seeing her own child being tormented, harrassed, whipped, stoned and mocked. So with that in mind, Sarah was determined to tough it out and stick at it. After all, perhaps she was being taught a lesson in patience and self-control too.
posted by charlotte @ 1:19 PM
7 Comments:
very intersting piece of writing. One could only imagine who you are talking about. Substitution of names are good. Have u ever thought that maybe Sarah and Jackie have both changed. Maybe there are expectations of each other that are too demanding and are breaking this friendship.
'Anonymous',
What are these expectations that Sarah and Jackie have of each other? What could be demanding? This short story doesn't show me any glimpses of demands.
Fine maybe expectations was the wrong word to say, but have you thought that maybe Sarah has pushed Jackie too far, made her do things that she hasn't wanted to do. Perhaps the friendship was never really what it was portrayed to be.
This is a wonderful glimse into what it is that Christ did for each one of us. I am amazed that it can be seen so clearly from this story...that Christ came for each one of us....the Jackie's and Sarah's of this world....that he loves each one of us to the point of giving his all, being hurt as he hung on the cross, but breaking through as Lord over all when he broke the barrier of sin and death! Amazing. It teaches us that relationships, friendships and dealings with others should be counted as blessings as we seek to be like Christ, offering a hand of concern and love without judgement of others, simply to be there as Christ is for us. Thanks for reminding me what is important in life.
From the piece of writing and from those comments as a first time reader, I seem to struggle to understand what it is that is actully important in life...may i please be reminded. I dont know what is goin on between Jackie and Sarah, but may I have some insight?
To me, what is important in life is to be kind, caring and compassionate. These are all traits that Jesus showed when He came to earth as man. He befriended all types of people, without judgement, allowing them to chose to follow Him so that, by believing in Him, anyone can have a full life here on earth and forever in Heaven. Sometimes, life gets tough and hands out a deal that we find hard to cope with-whatever that might be-not getting into the uni course we wanted to, breaking up with the boyfriend/girlfriend that seemed so right, getting sick or someone we love getting sick, the greenhouse gas and the effect on our world - there are so many things that we can get down about. Our response, because Christ loves us, is to follow his example in doing unto others as you would have them do to you. That is, to see a need and try to meet it, use kind words, go the extra mile to make someone feel a little better, show you care, do the right thing with the envirnoment - if everyone aimed to 'do their bit' this world would be a better place. When we face disappointments I guess we need to determine not to let it beat us, or turn it around and make the best of the situation. Christ offers us hope and love and through him we can make this world a better place and maintain an inner peace knowing that we are indeed, loved.
anonymous number 5,
As for what's going on between Jackie and Sarah - it's a story that may or may not be based upon real life experiences. Where does an imagination come from if it doesn't expand on the ordinary? It's a story to outline God's grace. That's what's 'going on' between Jackie and Sarah.
As for what's important in life...I guess everyone's got their own dibs on that as we would all have different values, morals, ethics and priorities on different matters. What I can see as important in life in this story is to strive to love and care as much as it hurts because that's what God does for us, why should we shun (is that a word?) anyone else of without giving them that same chance to experience that, that God gave to us? Anyway, that's kind of a response, but a little all over the place as I'm not really sure how your comment fits in with the blog itself. Hope that gave you the insight you wanted from the authors mind.
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