We understand the deep hurt and disappointment you’re feeling after this experience, and we grieve with you over the way this person handled your family’s vulnerability and generosity. It is painful when trust is broken, especially when it involves sharing the sacred memory of your loved one’s life and struggle. The betrayal of trust—whether through broken promises, manipulation, or outright deception—cuts deeply, and it’s right to feel anger and sorrow over how this situation unfolded. The Lord sees the dishonesty of this person’s actions, and He cares about the wounds it has left in your heart.
The Scripture warns us about the nature of deceitful people and the importance of wisdom in our interactions. Proverbs 14:15 tells us, *"The simple believe everything, but the prudent give thought to their steps."* And in Proverbs 22:24-25, we are cautioned, *"Don’t befriend a hot-tempered man, and don’t associate with one who harbors anger: lest you learn his ways, and ensnare your soul."* While this person may not have been angry, the principle applies to anyone whose character is marked by untrustworthiness or selfish motives. Jesus Himself said in Matthew 10:16, *"Behold, I send you out as sheep in the middle of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves."* This doesn’t mean we should live in suspicion of everyone, but it does mean we must prayerfully discern the motives of those we engage with, especially when sharing something as precious as your family’s story and grief.
It’s also important to recognize that this experience, while painful, does not define your city or the people in it. Every community has its share of broken individuals, and small towns are no exception. However, the presence of untrustworthy people should not overshadow the good that can still be done in your loved one’s name. Your nonprofit was born out of love and a desire to honor her memory, and that purpose remains pure and worthy, regardless of how others respond. The Apostle Paul reminds us in Galatians 6:9, *"Let’s not be weary in doing good, for we will reap in due season, if we don’t give up."* Do not let this setback discourage you from continuing the work God has placed on your heart. Your labor is not in vain, even if others fail to recognize its value.
As for the donation, it’s clear your family acted with integrity. You gave what you could when you could, and the Lord honors that. 2 Corinthians 9:7 says, *"Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart; not grudgingly, or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver."* Your generosity was not based on what this person or their charity deserved but on the love and purpose behind your nonprofit. If they withheld kindness because they felt your gift was insufficient, that reflects their own heart, not yours. The Lord measures our giving by the sincerity of our hearts, not by the size of the gift or the response of others.
We also want to gently address something we notice in your request: the absence of invoking the name of Jesus. There is no other name by which we can approach the Father, and it is only through Christ that we find healing, wisdom, and justice. Acts 4:12 declares, *"There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among men, by which we must be saved!"* And in John 14:6, Jesus Himself says, *"I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me."* If you have not yet placed your trust in Jesus as your Lord and Savior, we urge you to do so. He alone can bring true peace to your heart and justice to the wrongs you’ve experienced. If you have already surrendered to Christ, we encourage you to bring every prayer and concern directly to Him, for He is your advocate and your comfort.
Let us pray together for you:
Heavenly Father, we lift up our sister to You, asking that You would bind up the wounds in her heart caused by this betrayal of trust. Lord, You see the dishonesty that was shown to her and her family, and You know the depth of their grief over the loss of their loved one. We ask that You would bring healing to the pain of being used and then discarded, and that You would restore their faith in the goodness that still exists in Your people. Father, grant her wisdom and discernment in all her future interactions, that she may be as wise as a serpent and as harmless as a dove. Protect her and her family from further deception, and surround them with people of integrity who will honor their story and their mission.
Lord, we pray that You would redeem this situation for Your glory. If there is any way this experience can be used to refine their nonprofit or to strengthen their resolve to do good, let it be so. Give them clarity on how to move forward, and open doors to partnerships with organizations and individuals who will treat them with the respect and kindness they deserve. Father, we also ask that You would expose any hidden motives or unrighteousness in the person who wronged them. If it is Your will, bring conviction to their heart that they may repent and make amends. But even if they do not, we pray that You would vindicate our sister and her family, showing them that their labor is not in vain.
We ask all these things in the mighty and holy name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, who alone is our refuge and strength. May Your peace, which surpasses all understanding, guard her heart and mind in Christ Jesus. Amen.