How Can I Help? (05/28/2024)

When I came to the counter, I knew something was not right. I looked at her face, her eyes. I asked the usual question: “How are you?” She gave the polite answer, you know, the one we’re supposed to give, “I’m fine.” I pushed. “Your face tells me otherwise,” I said. And she burst into tears. She learned that morning that one of her closest friends had died in an accident. I told her sincerely how sorry I was to hear that. “How can I help?”

We talked for a bit longer. Then a customer came in. I told her again how sorry I was for her loss. I knew from our frequent conversations that this was her second friend to die in an accident in less than a year. My heart truly ached for her. As I went to the car, something made me turn back. I returned to the store and waited for the customers to clear. When it was just the two of us again, I wrote down my phone number. “Call me if there is something I can help you with like a ride to the funeral.”

The rest of the day, I couldn’t get her off my mind. I felt so powerless to help her. I understand grief. I know it isn’t something you can wash off and put a band-aid on. I hurt for her; I hurt with her. LORD, I prayed, You brought us together today. Show me the way. Show me the why.

This morning, she is still on my mind. I can see the pain in her eyes. I can hear her suffering in her voice still. There are so many times in our journey where all we can do is be there, where there is no cure, no making it right. All we can offer is companionship for a short way and authentic concern. This morning that seems insufficient. LORD, show me the way.

The gospel this morning from Mark 10 reminds me that our journey isn’t about attaining prosperity or prestige, it isn’t about what we possess but rather who we are. I prayed to the LORD to show me the way and He brought me to Mark 10: 28-31. We are called to serve one another and to love one another as Christ has loved us. I want to do that, LORD, show me the way, I said again.

And I realized that suffering with my friend, listening to my friend, offering her help if there was a way I could help, it was He who led me. Is my help for her prayers for her and her friend?

My mind turns to a second friend who reached out to me yesterday for prayers for her sister who is suffering from injuries from a fall. I promised prayers; I prayed then, and I’m praying still. The LORD brings us together for a purpose. I pray for my friend’s sister and the family. I pray for my friend who is worrying and hurting for her sister.

As I ponder, I realize that the LORD invites us to care, to exercise compassion, to suffer with the other, and to turn it over to the LORD in prayer, to seek the LORD’s help for both the one suffering and for us so that we might discern any other means of helping.

I am sure I am not alone in this quandary of life. I am sure that most if not all of you have been where I am this day, caring deeply about what another is experiencing but unsure of what to do or how to help. “Love one another as I have loved you.” That is our Redeemer’s command. Let us begin there. And as our Redeemer showed us, let us also bring the needs of one another to the LORD for guidance as well as divine care.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.