Compassionate Love Blog: Displaying compassion for those who struggle with mental illness   (c)2013  Nancy Virden, Always the Fight Ministry

Mike wants to help. He genuinely cares that his co-worker Michelle is stressed-out with a dinner party, busy with sick children, has to run her mother to the airport, and will be late to this week’s meeting. She asked him if he would start the meeting for her, which involves more than just being in attendance.

If he says yes to Michelle, Mike will be gathering notebooks and pens, a laptop and projector, making the coffee, and greeting 20 people. It will be his job to help everyone feel comfortable.

Normally, Mike is shy. He is quite good at shaking the hand of a customer, easily discussing business, weather, and sports scores. It’s a different challenge altogether to make small talk with people he barely knows. While Michelle is fun on every occasion, he is more reserved. 

Already he is apprehensive about the meeting two days away. I should say yes, he thinks. Besides, she has no one else to ask.

Michelle thanks him profusely. Mike feels pleased. I’m doing the right thing, he reassures himself. 

He calls his wife, Gloria. The phone rings for some time. She’s slowing down. He pictures her easing out of bed and across the room.

“Hello?” She sounds weak.

“Hi Honey!” Mike sounds as positive as possible. “I will be unable to go to the doctor with you Thursday. Don’t worry, I’m sure Margie can give you a ride.”

Silence lingers for half a minute. “Mike, you said you would go.”

“I know, but Michelle needs me to start the meeting and I couldn’t let her down. You understand.”

“I need you too.”

“Honey, call Margie and she’ll take you. She enjoys helping out.” Mike feels angry that his wife is not simply letting him off the hook.

More silence, then a short sigh. “OK.”

Two days of busyness and worry finally land Mike in the meeting room.  He’d spent the last evening going over the list in his head of attendees, and imagining what he could say to each.  Sure, he’d told his son to wait when he said he had something important to talk about. Matt can hold off.  It can’t be that urgent, he whispers to his conflicted heart. 

Everyone sits. Mike is ready with his opening statements when his cellphone goes off. He sees it is Matt calling. Turning the phone off with a stab of guilt, he apologizes for the interruption and continues.

That evening at home, he notices his son is later than usual. “What is Matt up to?” he asks Gloria.

“He’s taking the entrance exam.”

Confused, Mike says, “Entrance to what?”

“Matt decided to attend Cambridge University.”

“Cambridge! But that’s all the way over in England! What makes him think he can get into that prestigious school?”

“Mike, he has top honors in mathematics.”

“I know that.”

“In the state.” Gloria watches Mike’s reaction as surprise and pride cross his face, then dissolves into a troubled look.

“When did all this happen?” he says.

“Mike, you are gone so much. Matt wanted to tell you. He wanted to discuss schools with you. In the last few months, it seems you have been rarely available to him.”

“I helped Mr. Franklin with closing his business, been taking you to your treatments, teaching Sunday School, not to mention my job…” Mike’s words fade at Gloria’s answer.

“You haven’t taken me to the doctor in six months.  Mike, I’m fighting this illness alone.”

Our values shape our boundaries

Look over your priorities. What, and whom, do you value most? Decide this, and be aware of your time. By knowing what we must and want to say yes to, we will know where to draw healthy boundaries.

Saying yes is the same as saying no because an exchange has to happen. Do you want to say no to your highest values by answering yes to everything other than? 

Draw careful boundaries    

Put effort into this. No matter how noble a kind act of service may seem, it is not so wonderful if it leaves behind those who matter most.  

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Other posts in this series: Friendship (1) ; God’s Example (2) ;  Self-Care (4) ;  How to Say No (5) ; Motives Beware! (6) ;  Refuse Blame (7) ; Refer to Experts (8)  ; How to Say Yes (9)

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***** COMMENTS ALWAYS WELCOME

NOTE:  I am not a doctor or a mental health professional. I speak only from personal experiences with and observations of mental and behavioral health challenges.  In no way is this website intended to substitute for professional mental or behavioral health care.

If you are struggling emotionally today or feeling suicidal, or concerned about someone who is, in the U.S. call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255), or for a list of international suicide hotlines, go here. 

If you are suicidal with a plan, immediately call 911 in the U.S.  (for international emergency numbers, go here ), or go to your nearest emergency room. Do not be alone. Hope and help are yours.