I bumped into an elder from another cong today.
Officially I`m depressed and not attending meetings. Really though, I`m just fading. Have been for 2 months. I`ve not been at a meeting in all this time.
So in his mind I`m depressed, not coping with lifes anxieties etc etc. Right.
The guy immediately starts by saying that sometimes, despite all that may be going on we 'just have to get to the meetings'. He recited a personal experience which PROVED that you can and indeed should just 'get on with it'.
I told him that he didnt know my circumstances (only my local elders know about my doubts). Nevertheless he said that I`ve got my wife & kids to think about and that I am the head. At this point I just wanted to tell him straight.
Again I told him it was`nt just depression. - 'get to the meetings' was the answer.
Now is it just me? This guy is dealing with (in his mind), a depressed person, someone struggling with his responsibilities. So what does he do? Remind me of my responsibilities & tells me (several times) to get to the meetings.
Not really a 'shadow in an exhausted land', I suspect that this experience could be re-related the world over.
Sad for those who desire & indeed need that 'word at the right time'.
J