Devotionals
I am rejoicing, filled with happiness clear to the bone! There is a dance in my feet as I jump from the car and bounce inside the post office! As I normally do, I announce myself and ask how everyone is doing. Half listening, I hear the faint “hello Jounda, how are you today?” I check my mail, and dance (not really dancing but that’s what it felt like) on over to the counter! Smiling and bubbly I ask the clerk, so how was your Thanksgiving.
Ready to give my testimony of gladness, I am stopped short by the tears in her eyes!
She had been alone! No turkey, no pumpkin pie, no friends, no family!
How could this have happened? How did I overlook this lady? How did she slip by unnoticed?
A stab of guilt penetrates my heart . . .I was so blessed this year! Food filled my table, my children surrounded me, we were all healthy, and yet someone near my circle was alone!
I stifled the rejoicing I’d felt just moments before! The bounce in my step slowed, as I listened to her pour out her sadness! I want to embrace her, for I feel her pain! I’ve walked in her shoes! Her husband left three weeks ago. Suddenly my heart of thanksgiving feels the weight of my sister! Her burden is mine as I utter the words, “I’m sorry!”
She doesn’t need to hear my story, she doesn’t need to hear how blessed I am now, nor does she even want to hear how God brought me through my own crisis, she only needs to know someone understands. She is looking for a shoulder to cry on, an ear that will listen. For this moment she needs to know someone cares enough to take a few moments and that someone feels her pain!
My joy has turned to mourning…my gladness has instantly turned to weeping because here stands a friend in need! I reach out – she responds! I listen – she talks! I have very few words to say except God knows! I can say these words because I’ve been there! I’ve been lonely and afraid! I’ve walked this path!
The post office remained empty as she shared with me and I knew God was in the plan! As I drove on to work I felt the weight of my friends burden! I contemplated my Thanksgiving dinner and understood she may not have come had I known and invited her, so this was meant to be. So, what was the purpose of this moment?
It was a stark reminder for me; share the goodness of God with those around you! Let people know and see just how good God has been in your life, but it is vitally important to be sensitive! Take a moment to look in their eyes! Stop for a moment – step outside of yourself and listen to the cries (sometimes silent cries) of those in need.
Had I not looked in her eyes I may have missed the tears! Had I not stopped to listen, I would have missed an opportunity! Had I not taken a moment I would have left the post office without ever knowing this lady needed an ear and a shoulder and prayers to follow! As good as God has been to me I’ve been in her shoes and wondered where He was!
II Corinthians 1:4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
Does this mean we cease rejoicing? NO! It simply means we must be sensitive to those around us! Perhaps the Lord has just blessed you with a $1000 but the person you are talking too needs only to know that God knows where they are! Perhaps you have a testimony of deliverance, but the person you are standing before only needs a shoulder to cry on!
Although we may have experienced a breakthrough – people around us may need to simply feed off your silent strength (which you know comes only from God!) I could have stopped her in mid-sentence and told her about my experience, but the timing wasn’t right – all she needed was someone to listen! Someone to listen without questioning or judging!
There may come a time when you can rejoice together over God’s goodness and where He has brought you from, but we must be sensitive to the moment and know when it is time to weep and when it is time to rejoice!
Let’s practice sensitivity, always, but especially during this holiday season! So many will feel the weight of poverty, hunger, sickness, divorce, death and so much more! We can bring comfort to those around us by simply being there with the same comfort we received from God in our own time of need.
Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2
Lord, you’ve been so good to us! You’ve been our comfort when we were lonely and afraid and for this we thank You from the bottom of our hearts! Nevertheless, even in our blessings there are those around us who are desperate! Lord, help us to be sensitive to the broken hearted, and to learn to listen to the silent cries! Help us to live out Your love and compassion and to know when to speak and when to simply listen!
In Your Wonderful Name we humbly ask, AMEN!
© Jounda LaMance November 27, 2006
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AMEN!! I feel so blessed just to be able to call you friend, my friend. You can speak in a way that no one else can and I am so glad! Beth
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