met a jw today

by bay64me 5 Replies latest jw friends

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  bay64me

  I happened to meet a young 'sister' from my old congregation today whilst out shopping.I think she is about eighteen now.

  We exchanged pleasantries and I asked her how everyone was. This was a general fish for info on anyone or anything I suppose. Her response really saddened me.

  She told me that all in her immediate family were fine. She now works part-time as she is auxilliary pioneering as "it keeps her going".This is something that "brings her great joy"

  As we conversed, I noticed her attire. A young pretty girl dressed in full ministry garb including matching scarf and gloves, sensible black outdoor coat which somehow betrayed her youth.

  I could also sense her unease and the way she strictly kept her responses somehow directly pertaining to her ministry or special joy that was hers alone.

  I noticed something also about myself and recalled something that I read recently written by kenpodragon to do with a conversation he had or could not have with his mother.

  There were so many things that perhaps I would have liked to say to her, yet I was unable to. And just as much as she skirted around issues and answered me perfectly.......so did I also.

  I came away feeling sad. Sad for her, sad that the conversation seemed pointless, sad that I felt unable to convey anything of real meaning to her and sad to see her, in her youth, so trapped inside something that she does not understand.

  I also got the feeling that she probably felt quite different. As we parted company, I suspect that she felt quite superior in her wt security and probably thanked jehovah that she was not like me.
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  jws

  It's just like all the old tales. They're going to view you as miserable. You're not part of them, so you must be suffering. She has to tell you how great it is to be a JW so that you might want that again.

  It's more habit and trained response than honesty to oneself.

  Overall, I've felt so much happier now than I ever did as a JW.
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  DevonMcBride

  There is hope. Many of the ex-JW's I converse with were once like her and they found their way out. Maybe this sister will too. She may have doubts now but is not letting on. That was also the case with the ex-jw's who left. Up until the day they left, no one would have guessed they didn't believe WT rhetoric.

  Just my optimistic two cents

  Devon
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  Golden Girl

  You reminded me that not one JW has been to see my hubby since he got out of the hospital . They haven't even called. He was inactive but had been going right before his illness was diagnosed. I feel like calling them and telling them"Where is their Christian love?". And believe me..I would do it.

  Something happened to me when hubby got sick. If they start preaching to me..I will tell them what I think. Life is to short!..It's OK to be considerate..but I refuse to let them tell me what they think is going to happen in the future like it is gospel! I WILL speak up and tell them my viewpoints!.Something I never did before. We also have a right to our opinion!..I would also have said hello!. (If I was told who she was). I would love to put them on the spot!.Let them turn red.

  I just hope they aren't staying away because his Mom told them I had dissasociated myself. She is such a witch!...And a JW besides...how would you like that for a Mother in law!. She used to be so sweet until I let her know I would not be going to ANY meetings...

  Anyway..hubby really believes it and he feels better when the "Brothers" see him and say a prayer. They did it in the hospital.. after I coaxed them! Jerks!!!!!!!!!

  Say..you getting back with the X???????????

  Snoozy.....

  Edited by - Golden Girl on 25 October 2002 21:11:15
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  jack2

  bay, if indeed that young sister, after parting company with you, thanked Jehovah that she was not like you, it simply puts her in company with the Pharisee who thanked God that "he was not like the rest". Of course, she may not have thought that at all, but when one is pioneering or very active as a jw, making comparisons to others becomes very ingrained in many cases. They even begin, as I am sure you know, to compare themselves with other jws who are not as active or "spiritually minded" as they are.

  GG - I am not surprised at all that no one has come to see your hubby. It's sad, and, unfortunately, typical. i hope things work out and he is back to good health soon!
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  bay64me

  I would love to read the last post that was made. It is all mashed up. I mean all the lines were written over each other. Is there a prob with my comp or is it something else?