Joanna glanced at the phone screen. Cindy. Sighing, she connected the call. “Hello?”

“Hi Joanna,” Cindy’s bright voice traveled through the phone. “I haven’t seen you in church for a while. Is everything ok?”

            Joanna swallowed hard. “No, it’s not.”

            “Are you sick?”

            “No.” She might as well get it out in the open. Everyone would know soon enough. “Dale left me.”

            “I’m coming over.”

            Before Joanna could respond, Cindy disconnected. She was coming over? Now? Joanna did a quick calculation. If Cindy left right away, she’d be at the house in 15 minutes. Joanna jumped up from her chair, changed out of her pajamas, ran a brush through her hair, and put her breakfast dishes in the dishwasher. By the time she’d finished, the doorbell rang.

            Joanna opened the door and found herself in Cindy’s waiting arms. “You poor thing. How are you holding up? I brought chocolate.” She held up a bag of chocolate candies.

            Joanna’s resolve began to crumble. She’d told herself she was OK, that she was better off without Dale, but having a dear friend to confide in made her want to tell the truth. Cindy moved to the sofa and patted the seat next to her. “Come, sit, and tell me.”

            Joanna took a seat and gazed into Cindy’s eyes. “I knew he wasn’t happy. He started coming home later and later from work. At first, I thought he was just stressed, but a few weeks ago he told me he fell in love with one of his coworkers and they were moving in together. He left that afternoon and we haven’t spoken since.” She swiped at the tears with her fingertips, but Cindy was quick to hand her a tissue.

            “And you haven’t been back to church,” Cindy said. It wasn’t an accusation.

            “I don’t want to have to face everyone and have them judge me for being such a failure I couldn’t even keep my husband happy,” Joanna said.

            “Do you honestly believe that’s what people will think?” Cindy asked. “Janet, Rhonda, and I were all talking after service and were missing you. That’s when we realized you hadn’t been there lately. Rhonda’s been a single mom for eight years. She certainly won’t judge you. You need your friends, and you need God.”

            “God can’t help me now,” Joanna said.

            Cindy’s eyes widened with surprise. “What makes you say that? You really think God can’t comfort you in this time of loneliness and loss?”

            “How can God possibly understand how I feel? He’s God. And Jesus was never married. He can’t understand what this feels like.”

            “Sorry to be so blunt, but you’re flat out wrong,” Cindy said.

            “You think Jesus was married?” Joanna said.

            “No, but he certainly understands what you’re going through right now. Jesus spent three years with his disciples. They traveled together, stayed together, ate together. They dealt with the wrath of the religious leaders together, healed the sick, cast out demons, and prayed together. They were the closest of friends that anyone could be. The disciples promised to follow Jesus where ever he went, to stick by him when things got tough.” 

            Cindy handed Joanna another tissue. “One day things got tough. One of those 12 men decided to turn Jesus in to the authorities for the price of a slave. Once the authorities came, all those men who swore their loyalty to him turned tail and ran. Peter, one of his best friends, denied he even knew him. Jesus had to face the most horrible trial of his entire life, and everyone left him. He faced the cross without the support of any of his closest friends, and then the entire crowd turned against him. He may not have been married, but he understands betrayal better than any human.”

            Joanna stared at Cindy. “I never thought about it that way.”

            “Jesus didn’t have a choice. His friends all deserted him. Yours haven’t. You have a whole group of dear ladies who want to love you through this trial. Don’t turn your back on your friends or turn your back on God. He understands better than you can imagine.”

            Cindy opened the bag of chocolates and handed it to Joanna. “I’m going to call Janet and Rhonda, and we’re taking you out to dinner tonight. No more moping by yourself. We’ll pray for you and support you whether you like it or not.”

Ecclesiastes 4: 9-12

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.
 Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Lord Jesus, we are so grateful You understand us. You lived a life on earth and experienced so many heartaches. As we make our way through trials, please help us remember You are always there for us, no matter what we’re going through. Thank you also for creating us to be in relationship with others. Thank you for friendships, for those who help carry us through the difficult times. Please help us remember not to isolate ourselves, and when we are in trials, please surround us with others who care. When we have friends in trials, please help us to be the support system they need. In your precious name, Amen.