DEAR ABBY: I have provided pastoral counseling for 25 years. When an old friend mentioned that she was out of work and couldn't pay her mortgage, I emailed her a few job notices. In addition, I offered some suggestions about how she could earn some income, such as teaching private golf lessons or holding an indoor yard sale.
I also gave her phone numbers for the Land Loss Prevention Project and the phone number of a bankruptcy firm. She scoffed at my suggestion of bankruptcy protection to save her home. I am perplexed. Abby, what would make a person in need say "Bankruptcy! Really?" and stop speaking to me? -- PERPLEXED IN THE SOUTH
DEAR PERPLEXED: Your old friend may have been put off or frightened when you used the word "bankruptcy." Or, she may have been expecting you to rescue her by offering her a loan instead of ways to help herself.