The following is
absolutely fictional and increasingly common. There is no Brad and definitely
no Jill, in case that is not obvious. There are, however, way too many people
in their position.
I haven’t had much of a chance to work through what you
shared with me in your email, nor an opportunity to pray about it the way I
intend to, but I figure it’s better to get back to you sooner than later.
You’re right, I must confess: I never in a million years
expected to hear from you. I’m almost positive the last time we saw each other
was at Brad and Jill’s wedding, which makes it over a decade now. And I agree:
discussing my best friend’s failing marriage with his mother-in-law puts me in
almost as awkward a position as it puts you to discuss your daughter’s current relationship
problems with me. I expect neither of us will be at our best as we are both
working with understandable biases and with only partial information. But I
think if we are careful and Christian about it we may be able to do some good
for two people we love without breaking any confidences or meddling in their lives.
Deal?