© AlyssaBridges, 2014
The following poem was written 24 years ago but it still applies today. My dad was in the Air Force and he was to be sent to Kuwait to help with the war. I remember vividly as I looked for comfort from someone I thought was a close friend and would at least pray with me but instead as I tried to hug her she pushed me away and said, “I cannot help you. I don’t know how to help you with this.” I was devastated. I was crushed. And I went home, cried, then later wrote this poem.
So, how do we comfort someone when we have no idea what they are going through? We’ve never been in their shoes and never gone through that particular pain?
How do we comfort one
When we’ve never known
Never felt, never shown
A love, or care, or feeling?
Do we dare say a word
When there are no words to say
Nothing to send one’s way
Who is hurting today?
How do we comfort one
Who needs comfort and love
When all around us
Is hate and bitterness?
Do we dare say we understand
When we’ve never understood?
How do we give of ourselves
When we have never felt?
How?
~Marcell Warner Bridges
20, March 1994, All right reserved
Today I encourage you to pray for your friends who are hurting, alone, and in the deepest, darkest days of their lives. I encourage you to send someone a card to just say “Hi” and let them know someone is thinking of them today. Send a friend a Bible Verse on their Facebook wall and say, “Hey, thought this might be of help to you today!” Give someone a hug. Do you see someone in a store or a foodcourt that looks like they are having a bad day? Smile at them. Find something about them to compliment on. Thank someone for a job they are doing whether it is done well or not. Perhaps saying thank you will give that person an incentive to do a better job. And even if they don’t say a word back to you, or smile at you, or maybe they say something negative back to you, don’t despair. Know that whatever you did – that hug, smile, card, prayer, verse – will stay with them the rest of that day.
God cares so much for you. He loves you. Cast those cares on Him and He’ll give you the peace you are seeking. He’s right there with you. Holding you tightly and walking with you.
And He who formed you, O Israel:
“Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you.
For I am the Lord your God,
The Holy One of Israel, *YOUR SAVIOR;”
© Heart Thoughts, Marcie Bridges, 2014
Marcie, this is wonderful. It's so easy to get caught up in our own little worlds and forget the heart of God, which is to love one another fully. Tell Alyssa she did an excellent job on her drawing. Wow!! Such talent 🙂
Alyssa says, "Thank you!" I pray we learn to do just that. Love others as God loves us.