Lessons at the Top

Mount Everest

Courage and tenacity are not limited to extreme sports enthusiasts. We've heard of them; the ones who challenge themselves to not only hike, but attempt to climb the highest mountains in the world. As of December 2024, 7,120 people have reached the summit of Mount Everest!

Back down on earth where the air is easier to breathe, we, as single-again women, have been through our own personal ordeal, and most likely, we can agree there is no pleasure in climbing the mountain of marital disconnect or widowhood. Losing someone hurts like a cut from a sharp knife while washing dishes. It’s sudden and unexpected. Whether we nursed our spouse through sickness to the end or initiated a separation ourselves, it's heartbreaking, nonetheless. 

Marital break-ups, in particular, can be embarrassing, and certainly humiliating, when we finally share the news with family and friends. We put ourselves out there. We trusted the one we loved with all our hearts. We walked down the aisle and made a vow to live happily ever after through health and sickness. 

Then faith and hope were broken without a mere thought behind it. Shattered into a million sharp pieces of despair, discouragement, and dejection. We did our best to repair the damage to no avail. He walked out anyway with a mistress in hand. Ouch! Our tears have filled a canyon--there are none left! Just like the mountain climbers, we now grab onto the lifeline and hold on with all the power and strength we can find while the emotions heal. We soon find out that creating a new life is not quite as difficult as we originally thought. It’s one step at a time, digging in, and moving forward. We can make it–we are on the way up that mountain of ours!

We often have to ask, “Now whom can I trust?” It seems the answer is “No one.” We dare not go through that scene again, right? But, we know in truth, all human beings are filled with flaws. Even us. Sometimes, people we depend on do things to shatter our faith in them in amazing, surprising, and hurtful ways. Even scary ways. 

There is no doubt about it. Regaining a measure of trust once someone has devastated our world requires maturity, insight, and, definitely, tenacity. What can we do about it? How do we get on the right track again? Do we run down the street screaming over dishonesty and selfishness, or do we set responsible boundaries for the next time we're in a relationship? What about our excuses? Didn't we have some part in the drama? There are many lessons to learn here. It will take time. Maybe a lifetime. One thing is for sure: if we don't learn the lessons now, it will certainly happen again. And no one wants that kind of repetition.

Tip of the Day

This is where we discover we can only do so much on our own. We can begin a new life. Check. We can make new friends. Check. We can join a gym and get into shape. Check. We can get a new job if we want. Check. It's just like any new wilderness adventure. What we need is a Guide to show us the way through the valleys to the mountaintop. A Teacher who can connect with us and give us a desire for the real truth. And a Friend who knows the life that will save us from ourselves.

Yes, God gets us! The only One who can do all this for us is our Lord and Savior, Jesus. We can go to Him and talk about betrayal, hurt, and sorrow. He's been there. He knows how it feels to be abandoned. And it's not just about all the overwhelming events that have occurred; He knows about our most treasured dreams too. Thankfully, we can safely place our total trust in Him like no other. He promises that He will never, ever, ever leave us! He loves us that much, inside and out. 

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5 NLT).