Last evening after church, we were chatting; just about shared experiences, feelings, fears, all the kinds of things we are both are going through and she looked at me and said, “I don’t like that I have to go through this. But since I am, I’m glad it’s you who’s going through it with me!” That totally resonated with me and in the conversation, just about five minutes later, I said the same thing back to her!
Sometimes we ask ourselves ‘Where is the good in whatever it is we are going through?’ Many times we are left wondering and don’t see it. But when we witness it as it’s happening, it has a powerful effect!
Most everyone we know has experienced loss. Most can empathize with the feeling of loneliness and grief. My friend and I both know God is the source of our joy, but to have someone who can moment by moment understand the pain of losing a spouse, it’s profound.
I understand that this must be a recurring incidence where there has been horrible loss from fires, flooding or other natural disasters wiping out an entire community. There is much grief had by so many! But in many ways my friend and I were strangers since I've just recently come into this congregation. Now we share a bond we’ll likely have for the rest of our lives.
God tells us to encourage one another. A sincere comment of, ‘I hear you.’ or ‘You’re not alone.’ to someone who is struggling, is huge! If a person can share something they’ve been through, that of course, doesn’t replace their grieving or problem; but lends God’s light to it, it’s powerful.
Even sharing a prayer right on the spot or remembering them later, is another form of encouragement. I remember shortly after Charles passed away, I had to get fuel in my car. This is an easy task, as long as you know what you’re doing. Charles always took care of fueling my car! So out of need, I was off! Of course when normally you could use your card and fill up at the pump without going in, on this day, I had to go into the station and ‘prepay.’
I had NO idea how much it would take—I wanted to fill it up. The person waiting on me didn’t speak good English, and hard as I tried I couldn’t make him understand. I was beyond frustrated.
I was so grateful, when another lady—a total stranger—walked up to the counter beside me. First she put her arms around my shoulders and on the spot, in front of everyone there, prayed-aloud! And then she took charge; asked me the right questions, and set it up the way it needed to be, so I could re-fuel. I was beyond thankful God sent her! Even as I write this, it still makes me cry! I was overwhelmed, as I have been on many occasions during the last 8 1/2 months since Charles’ death.
The point is, we all need each other! Sometimes encouragement comes from our family or church family, a phone call, text or a note in the mail. But it can come from perfect strangers who want nothing more than serve Jesus, in what normally is no big deal, but to a person falling apart, is everything!
We all have struggles, but even then, God will put people in our path who need a smile, a hug, an on the spot prayer or just a small word of encouragement. We need to be ready (and willing) to give-- a little of ourselves…and ultimately of God, to encourage someone, in their time of need.
Photo Credit: See the good when things are not
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