I Felt Your Pain

When asked by a friend to be in on a panel to participate in a discussion about a subject matter of a very sensitive nature, I consented. When I arrived, I learned that it was going to be live-streamed. I was very sensitive about the subject matter, but out of respect for my friend, I proceeded. However, had I known I would be a part of such a video session, perhaps I would have declined. After watching the video, I saw something that I hoped no one else noticed. I was reasonably pleased with what I had to say, but I noticed the movement of a certain body part that clearly demonstrated to me that I was very uncomfortable. Let's just keep my display of nervous tension a mystery, because my point here is not about me. Rather, it is about something that another dear friend said to me many months after that event. I was arrested and captured by her words. Perhaps I have expressed such words of affection to others, but I don't know if I had ever heard such words directed toward me. When I heard those four words, I felt comfort and love. The feeling of that God-moment will abide with me for a lifetime. From the depths of her heart, her words reached all the way to the depths of my heart. In a moment, I was able to reach back through the tunnel of time and capture the pain that I was feeling at the time. In reference to watching the video, she said to me, "I felt your pain". 012923PS My friend,EsTh