Psalm 111:10
How can men be wise? The only
way to begin is by reverence for God. For growth in wisdom comes from
obeying his laws. Praise his name forever.
The
Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by
permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois
60188. All rights reserved.
I lost a fellow classmate
to breast cancer in 1994. Sandra and I were not all that close in high
school, but as adults, we became better friends – particularly as she
fought her illness and drew close to death. When she passed, mutual
classmates lamented that they didn’t know what to say or do…so many
chose not to do or say anything. Somehow, that didn’t seem like a
viable option to me.
When my brother passed in 1998…and my dad
followed him to heaven thirteen months later, I noticed that a lot of
people chose the option of disappearing. I wasn’t necessarily keeping
score, but it was sad to greet a close friend in public and feel their
discomfort…or to hear him/her say, “I didn’t call or come by because I
didn’t know how to respond to you.”
So I wrote a little booklet…What to Say and Do…When You Don’t Know What to Say and Do*.
Understand that I do not have all the answers – didn’t then, and don’t
today! But I trusted God to show me how to explain in written word some
of the things that are helpful – and hurtful – when responding to
others. This applies to both times of sadness, illness, death and
sorrow – and even happier times that often go unrecognized.
One
of the things I discovered in this process was how God will always equip
us with the right things to say and do - in any and every circumstance -
if only we will listen for His voice. If we say to someone “I’m sorry”
with the love of Christ in our heart for that person, this compassion
will be conveyed…and the simplicity of these two words will be magnified
to mean so much more. If we show up when God prompts us…and allow Him
to give us the words and expressions of love and sympathy (or enthusiasm
for a happy time)...everyone involved will receive a blessing – and God
will be glorified.
The wisdom of the LORD is a precious gift
that can only be obtained by listening for His voice and staying attuned
to His word and commands. Are you listening today? When the time
comes to reach out to someone in the name of Jesus, will you be equipped
to say and do the right things? Don’t you think it’s time you were?
©2016 Debbie Robus
*What to Say and Do…When You Don’t Know What to Say and Do ~ ©2003 Debbie Robus ~ http://auntdebsattic.blogspot.com ~ Proceeds from all sales go directly to Hospice.
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