Difficult Seasons

Photo Credit: João Almeida (t3mujin)

People all around us, people that we meet up with any given day, are hurting.

Sometimes we know.  Sometimes we’re unaware.  But chances are, a number of the people you rub shoulders with today are struggling with a loss.

Yesterday morning when the alarm woke me, one of my first thoughts was of a friend whose dad was in his final days of a long struggle with Alzheimers, and I prayed for her family.

Arriving at church, I expressed my sorrow to a man who sits near us over the death of his dad this past week.  He talked about how he had expected it, just not right now, and that it was a shock.  His wife mentioned the shock of her mom’s death seven years ago even after a long illness, noting that we’re never prepared.

Across the room I caught a glimpse of another friend whose brother also had died this past week.  And during prayer time, a family I know came for prayer about a mom losing a long battle with cancer.

They, and lots of others I know of, are hurting.  And I and others are able to provide support, express concern, and lift them in prayer.

But what about the others, the ones that have the same hurts, but that I’m unaware of?  That you’re unaware of?  People who are carrying their pain all by themselves?

They just need someone that will show the interest to ask.  And someone that will take the time to listen.  It’s not that they want to carry it all by themselves.  They just need for someone, you or me,  to show that we’re interested and really want to know how they’re doing.

So who is it you’ll rub shoulders with today that’s in pain?  Who is it that you’ll rub shoulders with today that you’re the one uniquely positioned to serve by asking and listening?

John and Major

Having someone you love in harm’s way — in a battle zone –  is a difficult season.

You go about doing what you do while they are going about doing what they do.  But you’re always a little edgy.  You don’t like to watch the news, but you’re drawn to it anyway.  Your mind may focus for a while on what you’re doing, but then the reality that you have someone you love serving in a place where they’re getting shot at comes back to consciousness.

You’re proud of them for doing what they do, and for having volunteered to do it.  But you’d still rather that they were here, not there.  Safe, and not in harm’s way.

So on Veteran’s Day, I’m thankful for all that are serving in our armed forces, and for all who have served during our history.  They are worthy of honor.

And I’m also mindful of all the folks here who waited through that difficult season while their loved one was serving in harm’s way.  They’re worthy of honor.  Maybe double honor.