While we look forward to 2013, expectant that it will bring with it good things and blessings, the sad truth is that for some (nay, for many), it will bring its share of challenges, struggles and tragedies.
Already, not eight days into the new year, I have seen so many different friends be met with unimaginable, unforeseen difficulties and losses. I have friends who have in only the last few days lost loved ones and parents, siblings, grandparents and even children.
Another young friend has been given difficult news that even though an operation to remove cancer was successful, it had actually spread and he now faces tough chemotherapy.
Yet another friend’s child went in for what was considered routine surgery and for whatever reason, while he was home resting, he stopped breathing for ten minutes. It was only by God’s good grace that his aunt was there to perform CPR and get him to the hospital. His family has felt the deep weight of uncertainty as he recovers from what the doctors say could be potential brain damage.
And even my own father, after going through a horrible turn of events in having a kidney removed due to cancer, found out that it had spread into his bladder. And after removing that, they found more; he gets to endure another painful procedure.
These are just some of the people in my life—this doesn’t even speak to the countless others who have been blindsided by challenge and pain. The five year old daughter of a young pastor from Montana died in her father’s arms after she stopped breathing—just five days before Christmas (her mom was wrapping presents when it happened). I don’t even know how to wrap even the tiniest bit of my mind around the deep pain felt by the parents and families of those beautiful children whose lives were stripped of promise when a disturbed young man opened fire in their school.
This world is broken. From the perspective of my personal faith, I see nothing that will fix it beyond its restoration by God through Christ—and I believe that day will come. But in the meantime, I hold fast to the idea that we have been given a unique gift as a body of people through loving, caring friendship.
“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.”— Romans 12:10
Just as the cells of the body come together to heal a wound, so it is with us. Life is not meant to be lived alone. If it was so, our wounds would cause us to bleed to death. But when rough times come (and they will), it is the gift of friendship that provides what we cannot muster ourselves—compassionate, healing hope. Wounds may cut deep and leave behind noticeable scars, but without friends to help dress the wounds and apply gentle pressure, we are left disfigured, damaged and in danger of spiritual, emotional infection.
If you know someone is hurting or has found themselves in a daze because of unforeseen circumstances, come along side them—support them and be their strength. Encouragement might be a word, or a hug, or a meal, or a kind gesture; it might be financial help, or kind counsel; or it may simply be the reassurance that you are a rock, maybe not even uttering a word, but present in their time of need. Sometimes the best presents are those of your presence.
And if you are someone who has found yourself in one of these tough situations, don’t let your pride keep you for reaching out and asking for help. You don’t have to go through this valley on your own, nor should you.
Chances are that at this very moment, you know someone who is hurting. Rise up and be a friend—whatever that might look like. Give love freely. Something you do or say (or even not say) might be the one thing that helps lift them up and give them hope. After all, you might one day find yourself in a similar situation, and having friends to be there with you and for you could mean the difference between healing and bleeding out.
Love one another.
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