Stuff I don't know

A good friend of mine woke up the other day to find one of his freinds was dead.
When we talked my freind said he knew I'd be good to talk to because I'd been through stuff like that myself. I'd know how to get through it. The right words to say and the right things to do.

Well.

I have been there, albeit in different circumstances. My sister died suddenly when she was 20 and then my dad was killed in the events of 9-11 in New York. And there was a time when I though that I'd learnt something. I don't mean in a complacent way that says this type of thing will be a breaze the next time, but in a way that would emit wisdom beyond that of those who haven't gone through the same stuff.
I've been thinking about this with my son as well. I sometimes get wound up and frustrated with some of the things he does. why? Because I see myself in him and want to tear it out of him! How on earth did I get through growing up doing stuff like THAT? I'd like to give him the fatherly advice that I think i should be giving him but, hey, I haven't got a clue how I got here.

Life situations often teach you nothing more than without the grace of God you'd be frazzled. Sure, I know to listen more than I did and I've learnt so much theory about trials and struggles, but often there are no right or wrongs.

Lean on God's grace, where-ever it comes from and you wont go wrong.