I have a friend who lives far away and who experienced a tragedy lately — the loss of his son. I sat down yesterday to write a note to him and his wife, and is often the case no words seemed appropriate.
How often do we say we will pray for someone, knowing the words sound hollow at the moment and really can’t change the circumstances, yet we do it anyway because it’s all we can come up with.
In truth, those prayers often change us more than they bring comfort to the recipient. Conversing with God about someone else, helps us better understand the one experiencing the loss. In a way, we step into their shoes and that helps us understand their pain and suffering, and overtime strengthens our relationship with them. Opening our hearts to them, bonds us to them and enables us to be of more supportive and our presence more comforting. In a funny way asking God to heal, help, and comfort others keeps us connected both to God and our suffering neighbor.
Opening our heart to God for another, opens our heart to God’s comforting love as well.
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