After an accident that led to a dental disaster, I was forced to go without two front teeth or a temporary crown for several days. Of course, since it was my front teeth that were missing. I looked like a jack-o-lantern!
My little grandson had not seen me since my unfortunate misshap. When I stooped down on the floor eye to eye with him, he got this horrified look on his face! Putting his hands on my shoulders, facing me, he very solemnly said, “Mamaw, I need to talk to you.”
He took a deep breath and said, “Mamaw, I want you to know, I’m here for you and it’s gonna be OK!” Taking another deep breath and looking me right in the eye, he solemnly said, “Mamaw, your tooths are gone.” After this pained utterance, he threw himself into my arms, patting me on the back, murmering, “I’m right here, mamaw, I’m right here.”
Seeing the little guy with those big serious concerned blue eyes and hearing him say “I’m here for you mamaw” touched my heart. His comfort was genuine and heart felt. At the tender age of not quite 4, he was learning to “bear each other’s burdens and fulfill the law of Christ.”
In the face of a friend or loved ones pain and suffering, sometimes we feel inadequate in our efforts to help. To represent the love and compassion of Christ it is not required that we fix their problems or give some pontific point of advice. Most tragedies in life have no “fix” outside of God.
Sometimes, the most helpful thing we can do is to simply be available and pray. If there is any way we can help remedy their need, God will direct, but only if we are quietly there to hold them first.
Galatians 6:2 “Bear each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
Prayer: Father, help me to be a steady shoulder to lean on when my friends hurt. Give me words to speak or the wisdom to be silent, as the situation determines the need. I want to represent the love of Christ in all my efforts. Thank you. Amen.