Romans 12:15 says "Rejoice with those who rejoice, Weep with those who weep."This story reminds me of one way that happens in a faith community.
A four-year-old child's next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman, who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there. When his mother asked him what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy just said, "Nothing, I just helped him cry."
Pretty dang cool, I think.
3 comments:
This has been a very real picture for us lately. We're trying to help our neighbor grieve the loss of his wife of over 50 years. They are estranged from their kids so he has only a few friends and our neighborhood as a support system.
Wow...I love that story!
It is so easy...the concept of just "being". Being there in the moment with the person experiencing loss. Whether the loss is that of losing a loved one, or perhaps it is a loss of physical ability or changes in ones roles.
All of us have experienced a "loss" of some kind. When someone is in the middle of a transition from what was before to what is now, often it is better to hug than to judge, better to listen than critique, better to just "be" in the space where they are.
I have experienced those who were able to "be" along side of me when I have gone through a hard transition. It was then I felt loved and cared for. I have also seen and felt in stark contrast those fellow believers who could not deal with the change I was going through. I felt abandoned.
I wrote this during one of those times of transition in my life.
"You'll Know How To Love"
Many laugh with me
few seldom cry
Although it's rainin' outside
my heart gone dry
You come a callin'
And go with a smile and say,
"Remember God's always with you"
My friend,
I know that to be true
But how about you?
You don't weep with those who weep
You don't mourn with those who mourn
But if you do
you'll surely keep
The commandment of the Lord
You'll know how to love
Many laugh with me
Few seldom cry
Many wonder
what's that tear in my eye
You mean to do well
then you go with a smile and say...
"God's always with You"
Well, I know He's Always True,
But how about you...
'Cause you don't weep
with those who weep
You don't mourn
with those who mourn
But if you do
You'll surely keep
The commandment of the Lord
You'll know how to love.
Jerrilyn Korth
Dean,
Nice blog!
Hey..we started different service formats at Sunset...I'd love to do lunch and pick your brain...
Jay McKenney
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