This is Johnny’s first Thanksgiving without his wife and kids. Jeannie left him this past spring: the culmination of a mediocre marriage that muddled along for 17 years. Johnny has three teenage sons, all of whom stay with their mom. For the most part, Johnny has repented of the sins he brought into and carried throughout the marriage.
He has been re-establishing himself in his local church and, for the most part, people have gotten used to his new lifestyle without Jeannie and the kids.
However, it has been very hard for Johnny to mesh with his old friends. He’s too old for the singles of the church and too single for the older couples of the church. He says he is in no man’s land.
He’s even been tempted to act as though he is worse off than he really is so folks will not forget his plight and continue to find ways to help him.
This week many of the church families are traveling to their extended families or they have made arrangements with family and friends locally. To date, no one has included Johnny in their plans. Jeannie and the boys are traveling to another state to be with her parents.
Johnny calls you for help and encouragement.
Application Questions
- What would you tell Johnny?
- How would you help him theologically?
- What would be your practical advice for Johnny?
- If you have had a similar experience to Johnny’s, what would you have liked to have happened to you or what did others do for you that helped you through your difficult time?
Checkout some of our training videos on our YouTube Channel
This is a tough situation, but I think this could be a great opportunity for Johnny to serve at a homeless shelter. I would recommend he contact a shelter nearby and see if he could help serve Thanksgiving dinner and possibly spend some time ministering to those at the shelter. (1 Peter 4:10-11)