Thought of the day

Presence

After hearing stories today of my NeighborLink friends who have entered into projects which have led to relationships, I’m stuck being reminded that maybe the greatest blessing that we can offer to someone in crisis is being present.

These friends have entered in a time of need to provide physical effort to fix a tangible issue and have also through being present offered an ear and open heart to the person they’re helping.

More times than not, the biggest impact has been in the social interaction between them. Stories of major health issues, broken families, and a time not long ago when things were just as they ought to be.

Being present has allowed the hurt and brokeness to be confessed and shared to someone who’s ready to listen and is willing to absorb some of that burden even if only for a few moments.

All of these friends confess to not knowing what to do with what they just heard or how to comfort the recipients. Maybe that’s the point. No response is needed. Their presence was exactly what was needed.

If this is true, it should be freeing to all of us that are wading into these projects because nothing is needed to be transacted except listening, right? Somehow I haven’t gotten comfortable with it being ok not to have the answers. I don’t know about you but I want to fix it or at least offer my resolution.

I need to work on the idea that just being present might be enough.

Thank you friends for sharing your stories of what happened when you entered in to someone elses suffering.