When We Have No Words

 

     Grayson has been teething. Three teeth came in almost simultaneously. He is also learning to crawl which has led to a time of transition and sleep issues. It is tiring and difficult when he cries. We want to comfort him, but he can’t tell us what he is feeling.

   Patience and love, soothing talk and squeezes, will lead him back to his typical, smiley self. When we, or those we know, are going through difficult times of our own, we can grow tired of listening to ourselves and others.

     Walking alongside someone in deep grief or uncertainty isn’t easy. We often give pat answers, or we wonder why they aren’t moving through faster, or dealing with things in the way we see fit.

     Working with a crisis ministry team for twenty years was fraught with times of of feeling inadequate. Words would tumble from my lips that never seemed quite enough. But I discovered, along the way, the many gifts the Holy Spirit offers each of us. He would bring the right timing, the words that were beyond me, the confidence in Christ rather than in my fallen self.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes with us through wordless groans, Romans 8:26

     Through each struggle God is with us. He offers wisdom and compassion. When we come through a tough time, God uses our pain and suffering. I have seen it time and time again, a widow who reaches out to someone experiencing that deep grief, a cancer survivor who understands. One example is the book, “Grace for Each Hour,” written for encouragement by someone experiencing the diagnosis and journey of cancer.

     We are in this life together. We will face dark moments throughout our lives. Christ’s comfort and strength, His light and His love, His sacrifice and His peace, can rise above it all. I can’t explain it. Like Grayson, I don’t have the words to express what I need for myself or for others. But I know the One that has just the right tone, the right comfort, the only love and hope that sustains.

And now, these three remain; faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13

     Faith. Hope. Love. They endure forever.

Lord,

Give us Your type of love. Give us the right words, that only You can provide. Give us the strength to help others and to accept help when we need it. It is all because of You.

In Jesus name,

Amen