From separation and pain to community and love
I was going through a time in my life when I was separated from my husband and needing to find a support group. I came across Divorce Care at the bridge, and that’s what brought me to the seasonal group. I was not coping very well at work and at home with my two young children. It was a very tough time. It was tough even just doing the simplest tasks day to day.
Going through separation was tremendously impactful in every aspect of my life. From work to home. I was trying to care for two young children and myself. Trying to figure out what my future was going to look like. I think the best way to sum it up would be when I was in the group; I learned that next to death, going through separation and divorce is just about the most traumatic thing that you could go through. I would have to agree it was excruciating.
So I was looking for a support group, and it was brought to my attention that there would be a support group in January, starting in January for 12 weeks. I thought that would be a good way to ease into the new year and to start on a more supportive note.
Going through separation was tremendously impactful in every aspect of my life. From work to home. I was trying to care for two young children and myself. Trying to figure out what my future was going to look like. I think the best way to sum it up would be when I was in the group; I learned that next to death, going through separation and divorce is just about the most traumatic thing that you could go through. I would have to agree it was excruciating.
The most impactful moment for me in the group was realizing that it wasn’t just, a place to meet with other people going through the same situation, but also the people there truly cared. The leader there took an interest in each of us and made us feel safe, made me feel very safe there. There was no judgment for my situation. That was something I hadn’t found that anywhere else up to that point. I was kind of scared to discuss my life situation because I was afraid of the judgment, and at the group, there was no judgment. I could be real, and I could tell the truth, and I didn’t have to worry about feeling unloved. I felt very loved at the group by everybody.
Having attended the Seasonal Group impacted everything to do with my relationship with Christ. At the time, I had no intention of joining another church, but going to Seasonal Group led me to go to service on Sundays here at the bridge. I was able to experience for the first time what building a personal relationship with Christ looked like. So it was very impactful for me coming to the bridge and having a one on one relationship with God.
For those who are going through a crisis, and wondering if they should attend a support group, I would say try it. Try it, even if it’s just for the first few sessions. Try to stick it out at least the first three, and push yourself out of your comfort zone because I think God will surprise you and show you how loved you truly are no matter how broken you feel or how devastated every other aspect of your life looks like. When you’re here in Seasonal Group, it’s a safe place, and you’ll find a lot of resources and maybe even a greater and a new relationship with God.
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