Being a caring friend
JOHN SHIRK – Romans 12:15 says, “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”
In the Golden Rule, Jesus challenges us to treat others in the way we would want to be treated. So, if we don’t know how to handle a delicate situation like comforting a friend in their time of sadness, we can try to imagine what it would be like if we were in their shoes. Maybe we never faced anything similar to their experience. We don’t have to pretend that we know what they are going through. We can simply come up alongside of them and listen to them, and make ourselves available to spend time with them.
People also have a tendency to want their friends nearby in times of celebrations. Maybe that is why we have graduation parties, and invite people to our weddings. By being there, we also express care and support for our friends. In both cases, through our tears of sadness and our smiles of celebration, we go beyond ourselves to enter the world of our friends.
That’s today’s Mission Statement for representing Jesus in the world today.
John Shirk
That’s a great reminder. Some friends of mine lost their mom this week and at the funeral I was thinking of how it must mean a lot to them to have friends there for them. I’ve not lost my mom so I don’t know what they were going through, but hopefully being there and praying for them will get them through this time.
I agree with your comments .my parents who are elderly recently both had falls resulting in rehab,i came up to Manhiem. pa from ga to take care of them with my brother .honor thy mother and father. I try to give back to them what they have given me.