Shining with Christ’s light will often include
walking alongside a hurting brother or sister. We will all struggle and go
through trials. Allowing someone to sit
with you while you grieve eases the burden and assists in the healing process.
We need to let our feelings out, to let the tears flow, to tell our stories.
There will be times when we are overwhelmed
and frightened, lost and filled with sorrow. Be ready to listen and pray. Shy away from a
quick answer or a trite comment. Just be there. One of my favorite quotes
is from Henri Nouwen’s book, “Out of Solitude.”
“When we
honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often
find that it is those who, instead of giving much advice, solutions or cures,
have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a gentle and
tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or
confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can
tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing, and face with us the reality of
our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares.”
Rejoice
with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Romans 12:15
Be there
with the love of Christ.
Jesus,
We don’t have all of the answers, but we have You.
We are grateful for each other and for those with the ability to share in pain
and in joy, those who listen and tend to our hearts.
Amen
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