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KeilCoppes

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I've recently come through what I believe is the tail-end of a serious relationship. She is divorced and over 40 and it was a courtship-style situation - she had been in a very long, very bad marriage, didn't trust her judgement, and gave veto power over our relationship to her brother with whom she was living.

For various reasons, which I won't go into, although we were fantastically close and wanting to marry, her brother took a disliking to me, and at one point communications with her abruptly stopped, and her brother said that she was angry at something I had said. He spoke to me on the phone, cancelled my trip for that weekend, and forbade me to speak to her.

Like a fool, I agreed. Later that week I changed my mind to go back out and visit in person and asked for visit information. However, the more I looked at it, the more I realized that his mind was made up. I had no emotional or physical energy left, having been through several trials on the way to there. I was drained, and I was not going back to deal with angry people. I wrote back and said that I was done, with a e-mail to forward to her since communication had been cut. He said "interesting", and that was that. I didn't even know if he had forwarded my e-mail.

Later I realized that I had been foolish and had allowed even the communication that might allow us to resolve things to be cut off. AND I hadn't heard anything from her directly. I wrote her brother back, repented of the rash speaking, and sent e-mail to her saying that I wanted to talk and get things worked out. The brother wrote back, called me a liar, said that both of their decisions had been made, and that I should let it lie. Basically - go away. I sent e-mail to her for the next week or so - not a peep of any kind from her. When I saw her online and sent an IM (several times) she wouldn't even acknowledge me.

For weeks I have heard - nothing.

She is communicating with some of my friends, though - and here is here is the crux of the question: They say that I need to go back, confront her brother and require communication, and that if I don't I'm denying God's power in the situation. For my part, I don't think it wise, and I have nothing left emotionally. In fact, after all the emotional reactions and cuttings of communication I don't want the relationship. If someone reacts so emotionally at the life-or-death level and will cut me off for weeks and not communicate to work it out.... that is not the life I desire.

Any thoughts?

Naturally, I'm in the rototilled heart condition right now - living, but it's like walking with weights dragging. God has my life in His hands, but accusations applied from others are difficult.
 
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Terri12345

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If she put her life in her brother's hands...that's kind of strange...I wouldn't try and get in a relationship or make any contact with her at all....that is...very strange. She is a grown woman and should be making her own decisions.
 
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Eagle_Wings

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^ That's kinda my thought on the issue. Why would she allow her brother so much control over her? Granted, I don't know her situation, but I know that I've got 2 older brothers and I can't imagine going through anything which would make me give them control over my dating life!

You've tried to contact her directly and she hasn't reponded....do you really want to persue a relationship with someone who is going to hide behind someone else without even explaining what happened to make her withdraw like that?
 
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FFD

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I think that it really is enough. The situation with the brother I find very odd. She is a grown woman and should really have talked to you about things rather than have everything go through her brother first.


You're also saying that you are drained emotionally and physically. This could be a sure sign that it's time to let go and move on - especially since she has not made an effort in a couple of weeks to contact you (or at least it would seem that way, there could be something else not even you're aware of).

I'd say just go with your gut feelings and keep praying about it - but it would seem like this situation is only bringing you down.
 
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LoG

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Wow, somebody just like me. Get into relationships with women who leave it to others to tell them if the relationship is good or bad.

My experience is that I'm not in relationship with the woman I love but the spirit of the person that she is allowing to contol her. Now I'm having to please 2 people who may want to see different things from the relationship.
How do you spell "Insanity"?
Not to make light of your pain or frustration , I know how it feels, but run, run, run,

Then you only have to go through this once as opposed to every time someone other than her veto's the relationship. Even if she gets out from under her brothers thumb she will likely just put herself under someone elses. These sort of things are a result of a very wounded spirit that require a lot of healing from God.
My experience anyway.
 
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boilerblues

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I can somewhat understand allowing her brother to have a voice in the relationship, but only if he is a man of strong character. I want my friends to have a voice in my relationships, I know that love is deaf, dumb, blind, and stupid

Obviously the Lord needs to guide your steps in this, we can only offer thoughts to consider.

Being that she is divorced, has she really healed from that relationship? If she hasn't, then she's probably fighting a lot of the feelings from that previous relationship. She may be afraid of you doing the same thing. And if her brother is being vindictive then he could be feeding her bad ideas. That could be her struggle right now. Maybe your integrity is something that can help her heal. Or you could be in a relationship where you have to sort through that wreckage the rest of your life. It's something to consider.

Do remember that when you marry a woman, you also marry her family. Her brother won't stop being her brother.

My thoughts, don't try to do it through email or IM. It's a bad form of communication when emotions are involved. It sounds like a personal visit wouldn't go well and you can't get her on the phone. Can you write a letter and send it to her at her work place? That way her brother can't intercept the mail.

My personal thoughts is that it sounds like the relationship is at an end, but having some closure would be helpful for both of you. Maybe sit down and write her a letter expressing your thoughts and feelings and where you are in the relationship. Sit on the letter a couple of days, pray about it and make sure that what you wrote is what you want to express (give time for emotions to settle some). Then send it to her at her work or via friends that can make sure she gets it. If communications open up again then you both can sit down and see where you should go next.
 
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OhhJim

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Like others have suggested, it could be God sparing you from a bad relationship/marriage. It will probably be difficult for you to understand this, now. I've been where you are, and I understand what you're going through. However, five years from now, you may be able to look back and see why God is keeping you two apart.
 
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invisiblebabe

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Awww I'm sorry it didn't work out.

Unfortunately though, it may be for the better that it's over.... I had issues with my ex fiance because his parents had veto power to the point where they could manipulate his mind and emotions, and thus his ability to make decisions about the relationship. Not at all a good situation to be in... of course I don't know the whole situation, but you would've ended up with some evil in-laws, is what it sounds like from this side of things.

I am quite sure that God has a better plan for you than her.

Blessings
Kayli
 
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KeilCoppes

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twistedsketch said:
Hey, unless her ex cheated on her, I think God spared you from a relationship that would have been wrong. But I will pray for you right now, you need comfort.
Well, her ex did cheat on her over and over again and treated her very badly for a long time and she took it - she went through 5 separations, many supposed repentances and two churches before the second one advised her to pull of the marriage asap for her own safety....
 
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KeilCoppes

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Thanks Kayli - the in-laws are Christians, but I definitely don't agree with the actions. I'm come solidly to the point where there's no way I'll court him, now that I realized that that's what's involved. I've come to the definite conclusion, though, if someone doesn't trust their own judgement to make decisions about the relationship (albeit with counsel), then how can _they_ solidly commit to you? And no, I don't want to be in a situation where she would go to her brother whenever she had a problem.

Even were she to come back to communicate, I don't think we could continue - there has been some tone "if you don't do this, then X, we're done", as opposed to "you should do this - it's right.", or "I need you to do this so we can continue" . Worse, the previous Friday and Saturday (2 days before) we had been so close - it was fantastic. And then "I need a break", and then slam from the brother, silence, and silence from her from then on. How can someone let that happen? And not even talk to you when you ask to at least talk about things? I'd rather be single for life than not talked to. It takes two to make things work, and a kind and gentle attitude.
 
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KeilCoppes

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If you haven't guessed, the courtship model that I believe in is a lot like dating, except that your shared goal to investigate if marriage would be a good thing, you get to know family as well, you watch where you go and what you do for safety reasons, and you get advice. No external vetos for me! She needs to make up her own mind. That's what being an adult is all about, and I don't want to marry a child.
 
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lady_of_god

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I'd have to agree with him. I just recently realized how the spirit of someone is in true control of a relationship. And it is just like talking to two different people at times... very strange. In any event, say a prayer for her. Her brother has a very unhealthy say in her life... it just isn't normal.

-Lady
 
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KeilCoppes

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Tumbleweed64 said:
Wow Keil, sounds like you've had just as much luck with relationships as I have... all I can say is look towards God for the answers you seek, He will lead you down the right path
(smile) Well, there's always gardening and yard work - it tends to be fulfilling and I've never had much emotional trauma from weeds or junipers!
 
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wildthing

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KeilCoppes said:
(smile) Well, there's always gardening and yard work - it tends to be fulfilling and I've never had much emotional trauma from weeds or junipers!
When I broke up I took out a tree with a hand powered saw. I was able to take pressure and put it some worth while project. If I lived by ya I would let you run my AR at the range for a mag or 2.
 
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KeilCoppes

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wildthing said:
When I broke up I took out a tree with a hand powered saw. I was able to take pressure and put it some worth while project. If I lived by ya I would let you run my AR at the range for a mag or 2.
Hmmm. Come to think of it, it's been a while since my Sig .45 has been at the range.... :^)

I also took an 8-mile hike yesterday out at the Aurora Reservoir - I'm feeling it today. Tomorrow will be the challenge as I will be seeing my friends again. I've also made an appointment to talk to the session of my church for counsel.
 
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