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. 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, not with 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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