READ: JOB 2:11-13
Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and nights. No one said a word to Job, for they saw his suffering was too great for words. (V. 13)
“Jerry, do you want to see the two men who came to visit you,” asked the nurse as she opened the door to his room. “No,” came the emphatic gruff reply. When my friend Joe told her we two of his retired police colleagues and were invited by Jerry’s wife she said, “Ah—go on in.”
Quite honestly neither one of us was prepared for what we saw lying on the bed. Yes, Jerry was now on hospice care due to Parkinsons disease, but to see a 118-pound shell of his former self shriveled and suffering from pain left both of us at a loss for meaningful words. Yet, Jerry opened his eyes and smiled as we approached his bedside. He worked hard to get his hand out from under the covers and extend it for our touch. We each silently prayed for him and told him how much he meant to each of us, his departmental colleagues and the community he faithfully served. Joe continually held his hand and I put my hand on his sheet covered foot as we talked with his wife. After twenty minutes, Jerry softly said, “You can go now.” We dutifully left the room holding back our tears knowing we had been given the rare privilege, by God, of saying our final good-bye to our police brother and friend. (Jerry went to be with Jesus 9 days later.)
Robin Abrol, the Executive Director of On Eagle’s Wings Ministries in Canada’s Northwest Territories, writes: “Presence in much more than simply being in the same physical space. It involves emotional availability. Deep listening. Connectedness. Journeying alongside and offering support in times of joy and laughter, sorrow and tears. The sense of comfort that comes from physical presence is often more significant than the words spoken.” Job’s three friends understood the importance of just being present. They followed the Jewish custom to sit with those in mourning and not speaking until the mourner spoke. They sat silently on the ground for seven days with their friend knowing his pain was too intense to be relieved by human words.
PAUSE FOR REFLECTION AND PRAYER
When visiting a family member or friend whose is suffering, we often feel compelled to say something spiritual or insightful. But many times, what they need is loving companionship, a tender touch and empathetic silence. Your presence matters!
Dear Jesus, thank you for the Holy Spirit, your presence which sustains me through each day. Help me to “just be present” when you call upon me to be help those who are suffering and in pain.