Update: wish we could share more

I'm a believer that things happen for a reason and that God has a hand in our every day lives. Sometimes it's seemingly impossible to see, sometimes it's a bit more obvious.

Case in point:

On Saturday, I posted about how I wish I could share more about my progress bc of my addiction with others and that people would be excited for my progress rather than disgusted by where I've been (read about it here). I've experienced both sides of that coin, but God gave me a glimmer of hope in the form of a prompt response to that wish.

The very next day, while at church, my wife pointed out a guy that was visibly depressed. He was a young guy, early 30s, sitting by himself in the back right corner of the chapel. My wife mentioned how sad he looked and reminded me that she had mentioned him before in conversation. She's one of his kids' primary teachers, and learned that he recently moved here because he and his wife are separated, soon to be divorced. 

After church, my class got out early (a rarity when I teach) and it just so happened that I ran into him in the hall around the time church got out. I asked him a few questions about himself and he very openly told me  of his situation. Before I really knew it, I talked to him about the recovery group I attend and mentioned I knew a few guys there that were close to or currently experiencing divorce and the toll it had on them. He promptly asked what kind of recovery group. I looked around to make sure no one was close, jumbled around a bit and finally spit out, "for sexual addiction."

His response: "good for you!" Then he said he has 2 friends who go to the same groups, one of which is doing great. We then had a good conversation about how we all get dealt different hands in life, and so often they are not the hands we expected, wanted, or deserve. So often we would never expect that's what we would get dealt (or that we'd choose those cards, in some cases).

Anyway, it took me hours before I realized that just the day before I was complaining about how I don't really get to share my experiences with others and my fear that if I would, they would look at me with disgust. God reminded me yesterday that there are plenty of people who are waiting and willing to learn from our experiences and to help us learn from theirs. They're waiting to tell us "good for you." God doesn't usually give me such prompt and obvious responses to inquiries, but I'll take them when He's willing. I think he and I were an answer to each others' prayers. It was nice to talk to someone with no fear of being judged - felt a lot like group. I hope someday that will be a constant reality for me. 

This was also nice to share today because I'm feeling really depressed because of the things I've done in the past - it was nice to focus on some positive things and have things brightened up a bit.