Am I Really Paying Attention?

I don’t know if it because I am getting older and I am just more aware or whether it is just the world that we live in, but there seems to be more and more suffering. There has been suffering since the fall of man, but it seems to be so strong right now. There are people being killed for their faith, cancer is everywhere, planes are being shot out of the sky because of hatred, babies are being killed at alarming rates, suffering surrounds us. It is so tragic. My mind cannot understand it all and it breaks my heart in two. But God sees and understands. He sees the suffering and evil and He cares. He is still in control. He knows suffering very well.

 Today, I would like to focus on those who are suffering quietly, those who live next door, who sit next to us in church, or who sit at the receptionist desk at the doctor’s office, those who are quiet about their suffering. There is not news report about their circumstances, they don’t broadcast it to their friends or neighbors, and quite often most of us are too busy to even notice that they are hurting. Their lives may not be threatened for their faith but their suffering is just as real. Miscarriages, being abandoned by their spouse, childhood cancer, loss of a job, health issues, chronic pain, relational difficulties, watching a loved one suffer, and the list goes on. These are real issues that cause real pain.

 The difficult season that we have personally walked through this year has taught me a lot of things. I know that I still have so much more to learn. God has been trying to teach me about grace, prayer, trusting Him in trials, loving others better, joy in all circumstances and paying attention to those who suffer quietly. I have to admit, I don’t have all of this down. Nowhere close. I probably won’t on this side of Heaven, but hopefully I am learning, hopefully, as God works, I am being transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ. This season has caused me to starve for His Word, and to go to dear friends and ask them often for prayer. I am so thankful for prayer warriors and I want to become more of one myself. I treasure those who genuinely care and who genuinely pray.

 So, I want to pay closer attention to those who are hurting quietly. I want to slow down enough to look into people’s eyes so that I don’t miss someone who needs a smile or a hug, or more importantly, a prayer. I want to listen well when they are speaking, especially when I ask how they are doing. I want to care enough to really listen to their answer and then respond in a kind, caring and gentle way. I want to offer them the hope of Jesus Christ. I want to love those who are different than me, and even those who don’t like me or whom I rub the wrong way. I want to be more gracious and less judgmental. After all, I was offered the greatest gift of grace that ever existed, even though I am the least deserving. I want to be less busy, so that I can take time for others, spend time with friends, and care about those who are quietly suffering, but who are too weary to ask for help or to afraid to ask for a listening ear. I have the One who gave His life for others, so shouldn’t I have time to stop and care for those who are hurting? I need to make time. I am on this earth to shine the light of Jesus on those who are living in the dark.

 Yesterday, in church, during the invitation time, I was quietly standing in my usual spot, too weary to sing out loud, but quietly praising God in my heart and a sweet friend took the time to slide over to where I was standing just to pray for my family. It brought me immediately to tears (yes, I am a one of those, I cry at Hallmark commercials). It meant more than she will ever know, though I have tried to thank her. It meant so much that she took the time to look at my eyes and see the weariness, and to pray right there on the spot. I cannot keep this blessing to myself. I have to share it. So, the next time I see or hear about someone who is suffering quietly, I hope that I am paying close enough attention to stop, and pray for them, and give them a smile or a hug. It is the least I can do. I am so thankful for those who have continued to hug us, to call us or just to give us a smile, and we are especially grateful for those who don’t give up on us and who keep praying. It is because of your prayers and God’s goodness that we can continue on. We are okay. We have a new normal. We believe that God has a purpose and that He will continue to provide. Not every day is easy, but because of those faithful friends, The Faithful Friend, and their love, we press on. God bless you. You know who you are. We love you dearly and we will not keep the blessing to ourselves, we will share them. We will pass them on. Thank you!