I'm currently reading a book entitled "Walking with God on the Road You Never Wanted to Travel" by Mark Atteberry. I'm about to begin Chap 4, and already several things are speaking out to me.
As you know, I AM on a road I never wanted to travel. But here I am. And quite awhile back, I decided that I'd better get all the help I could in navigating this journey. I'm very thankful that I was healthy enough to make that realization, because I don't think we are designed to travel hard roads alone, no matter how strong we might be.
This is the type of book that would be great to discuss with others...alot of thought provoking statements inside.
I'll just touch on one thing today that has struck a chord within me.
The author writes:
"I love the story about the four-year-old boy who saw his next door neighbor, an elderly gentleman, sitting on his porch, weeping after his wife's funeral. Without saying a word, he walked over, climbed up on the old man's lap, and just sat there. Later, his mother, who'd been watching out the window, asked him what he said to the old man. The little boy answers, "Nothing; I just helped him cry."
WOW. Out of the mouths of babes, eh? I've been blessed to have friends who will simply be with me and help me cry...either sitting next to me, or from afar. They are the kinds that are comfortable being with you in your time of pain, without the need to offer platitudes, advice, or empty words. They don't feel the need to cajole you into laughing or the need to "shush" your tears. They are content to just BE.
The author also reminds us of the verse Romans 12:15 "When others are happy, be happy with them. If they are sad, share their sorrow."
We aren't meant to always fix it, or try to fix it. We aren't expected to say something all the time. Sometimes we just need to be the friend that helps another cry.
That's not to say that we are to enable a person to stay in a pit, or be mired down in the mud. Sometimes we are needed to be proactive with our wounded friends. But that's another chapter.
Today I am grateful for:
1. Friends who help me cry.
2. Learning through my own pain how to be THAT kind of friend myself.
3. The amazing way that sometimes tears give way to smiles and laughter. "Weeping may remain for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning."
