About a year ago, a family member disclosed to me that he and another family member were sexually assaulted when they were around 6 yrs old. Wall of us are in our 50s. I've loved this guy deeply forever, even though I haven't always felt it in return. When he told me this, and the irresponsible behavior of those that were in care of him at the time, I was so heartbroken. He is not a believer, and I have just come to the Lord in 2013.
MHis life has always been a rough road...high debt, marriage problems, children issues, bad business dealings. All have brought him to where he is currently, broken and in dispair. I can't help but feel that event in his childhood played and continues to play a huge part of how his life unfolded.
He came to me the other day, actually to wish me happy birthday a day late, looking so awful that I had to ask him if he was ok. He said life is beating me up bad. He never, never opens up like that. I said I was sorry and if there was anything I could do. He asked me if I could bless him? I smiled and said, I don't think I can, but I would love to pray with you. And he was willing. So right there in my restaurant, we prayed. I knew that was a huge step for him. He hugged me, thanked me and told me he loved me. My broken heart melted as he turned and left. I so badly wanted to immediately follow up with scripture and invite him to church and growth groups, but I know him well, that vulnerability he showed me, his pride, the enemy would make him feel shame for it. So I held off.....for a few hours. Then I texted him about how much God loves him, and that surrender is one of the most difficult things to do, but when you give your fears, doubts, anger to Him, He will allow the healing to happen. His response was thankful and that he would try but his mind"just doesn't work that way, if at all sometime" . Of course I told him that his mind could be a huge obstacle in letting God do His work in him.
I will get to spend a few days with him in the coming week and I pray that he might open up yo me again. But my heart just feels that he needs to face that tragic event of his childhood. I'm sorry for such a long story to my question, any advice on broaching the subject without having him downplay it or shut me out all together? Thank you in advance.
MHis life has always been a rough road...high debt, marriage problems, children issues, bad business dealings. All have brought him to where he is currently, broken and in dispair. I can't help but feel that event in his childhood played and continues to play a huge part of how his life unfolded.
He came to me the other day, actually to wish me happy birthday a day late, looking so awful that I had to ask him if he was ok. He said life is beating me up bad. He never, never opens up like that. I said I was sorry and if there was anything I could do. He asked me if I could bless him? I smiled and said, I don't think I can, but I would love to pray with you. And he was willing. So right there in my restaurant, we prayed. I knew that was a huge step for him. He hugged me, thanked me and told me he loved me. My broken heart melted as he turned and left. I so badly wanted to immediately follow up with scripture and invite him to church and growth groups, but I know him well, that vulnerability he showed me, his pride, the enemy would make him feel shame for it. So I held off.....for a few hours. Then I texted him about how much God loves him, and that surrender is one of the most difficult things to do, but when you give your fears, doubts, anger to Him, He will allow the healing to happen. His response was thankful and that he would try but his mind"just doesn't work that way, if at all sometime" . Of course I told him that his mind could be a huge obstacle in letting God do His work in him.
I will get to spend a few days with him in the coming week and I pray that he might open up yo me again. But my heart just feels that he needs to face that tragic event of his childhood. I'm sorry for such a long story to my question, any advice on broaching the subject without having him downplay it or shut me out all together? Thank you in advance.
