Meet Eric Jones. 
Eric was gracious enough to let us share with you his story of divorce on the Buckhead blog. As you will see, there is hope, recovery and a place to heal. He found it at Oasis here at Buckhead Church. Oasis is a 13 week small group environment for those who are separated or divorced that addresses topics like anger, forgiveness, loneliness, new relationships, finances and reconciliation.
One year ago today, February 6th 2008, put changes in motion which would affect my entire life. This day was my first Oasis Divorce Recovery Class, my first experience with a church in over two years, and my first real attempt to talk about my divorce.
I walked into a room full of 13 total strangers and was asked to talk about something I didn’t even want to talk to my family about. I looked around the room and saw all these people, some looked like their world had been ripped from them, others like it was just another day. I wondered if i had anything in common with these people.
I wondered if I was normal.
The first question of the night “Who here attends one of our church campuses, or attends a church in the area”. I was the only person in the entire group who didn’t raise their hand. I was scared to death of what would come next but nothing happened. They didn’t chastise me, try to convert me, or even give me the “you poor soul” look, I’ve come to expect from most Christians.
Those 13 people quickly became the most important part of my week. I would look forward to my Wednesday night meetings, the sharing, the community and the family feel of the whole process. I made great friends from this little group. I found a ministry in which I’m so passionate about that I think some people think I’m obsessed.
They challenged me, convicted me, showed me how to heal, how to love, and most of all that I wasn’t alone.
We all have hard times in life. Times when we think we are the only ones who can deal with what is going on. We feel no one can really cope with us, understand us, or be able to offer us any counsel.
You are wrong.
We are surrounded by people who are willing to listen, to talk, to share, and to understand us. Do not go through the problems or hardships of life alone. We all need support and if you believe nothing else written in the posts on this blog, know that God doesn’t want us to go it alone.
So reach out, talk to one another, encourage each other. Look what 13 strangers did for me, imagine what you can do with someone you know.
To those 13 amazing and strong people I say “Thank You”. Every day is a blessing and a testimonial to the love, kindness, and compassion you showed on Wednesday nights.
Hebrews 10:23-25 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.
1 Corinthians 12:20-21 But now there are many members, but one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”
Eric, thanks so much for sharing your story with us. If Eric’s story resonates with you and you’re interested in Oasis, registration for our next round of Oasis groups begins March 15. To register, or for more information, please visit www.buckheadchurch.org/oasis.
Jeff
This story is amazing. So encouraging, and such hope to those who think there is none.
i’m in an oasis group right now.
thank you, eric, for sharing so authentically and transparently.