I can remember a time I wondered why God allowed my family to face and endure so many trials and tragedies but realize now we were not alone. Our church family has been hit hard during the past year and many are facing financial issues, illnesses, deaths, depression and despair.  My pastor asked me last week if it was just our church or the world.  I answered it’s our world.

I spoke with a lady today who said she has always felt particularly blessed her family had been spared the heartbreak so many face each day. She has now joined the grieving, her family experiencing three deaths and serious illnesses over the past several month.  As she said, eventually it comes to each of us.

I wish I could change the world and eradicate all the pain and suffering but that is far beyond my abilities. Only God can do that and one day soon – He will.  For now it is up to each of us to do our part to ease the suffering around us.  We underestimate the power of a phone call, a meal, and a hug or kind word.  We don’t always have words to ease someone’s pain or suffering but taking their hand and praying with them can have a profound impact on their life.  Words may fail us and that can be a good thing because the things we say can be hurtful even if well intended.  But simply sitting beside someone as they fumble through their emotions and thoughts can be a gift beyond measure.  We don’t have to have the answers to their questions; often there are none, nor do we need to feel compelled to give them direction.  We just need to be good listeners because sometimes they simply need to talk.  Allowing them the freedom to speak whatever is in their mind without judging or correcting them can be a great gift.

I have often thought I needed to call or visit someone but although my intentions are good my follow through has been lacking. I realize now I need to act on those thoughts more often.  I need to pay more attention to what is going around me and in the lives of others. I’m finding it is not always what we do that affects someone but what we fail to do.  And that can be the most hurtful thing of all.

I pray God will open my eyes and ears to the needs around me so He can speak to my heart and guide my steps and actions. I am very good at pointing to the failures of others but realize now I need to point my finger at myself.  I have missed too much and for that I am sorry and ashamed.

I can’t change the world nor does God expect me to. But I can impact a life that it turn can impact another and we can begin for form a circle of healing orchestrated by God.