Just Our Being There
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin Articles
When we read the book of Job, we usually disparage Job’s three friends for their incorrect response as to why Job was suffering (cf. Job 4-5,8,15,18,20,22,25). Yet when they came to Job, they sat in silence beside him for 7 days before speaking (Job 2:11-13). As it turned out, those were the most eloquent moments they spent with him.
There’s questions we have regarding people who are in pain and on beds of affliction. For example, how can we know whether they want to talk about their condition or not? Do they want to be consoled, or cheered up? What good can my bodily presence possibly do?
More often than not, those who suffer, remember the quiet and unassuming person who comes to visit them. Someone who was there when they needed them, who just simply listened — who didn’t keep glancing at a watch — who simply hugged, touched, cried, and prayed.
In short, someone who was available and came on the sufferer’s terms — not their own.
Quite often, the best comfort we can offer is just our being there.
Let’s think about it!