The proverb says that sorrow shared is half the sorrow.
Lately I've been feeling a lot of sorrow. And it isn't mine. It's my friends'. So many are grieving. And my heart is heavy. I weep for them. I pray for them.
Is their pain less because I am hurting for them? Does it really make a difference? I wonder.
Can something like that even be measured?
Kathy lost her dad about two weeks ago.
Chris's mother died from a long bout with cancer about two weeks ago.
Claudia's husband died from a short bout with cancer a few weeks ago.
Tim's father drowned last week and his mother is fighting ovarian cancer.
My cousin Kathy died a couple of weeks ago.
And one friend found out her husband is having an affair and doesn't seem interested in giving it up.
Please pray for my friends if you think of them.
Oh, I ached for you as you grieve with your friends. And yes, it does make a difference. Just being there to hug them and cry with them and "mourn with those who mourn" does indeed make their burden more bearable. There's nothing harder than feeling alone in grief.
ReplyDeleteAll of these people are long distance. So the hugging and "being there" is done in spirit. I hope that's enough.
ReplyDeletePraying for all the hurting souls. So many grieving!
ReplyDeleteI will also pray in the spirit that God will save that marriage.
Now I realize why you have been talking about broken hearts. I didn't understand there were so many grieving people close to you. Even if you can't put your arms around any of them, God can do that for you.
ReplyDeleteWhen people are hurting the two best things we can do for them is listen and pray. It sounds like you have done both of those things. They will remember that you were there for them.
ReplyDeleteDiane