Weep With Those Who Weep

“This is why I weep

And my eyes overflow with tears.

No one is near to comfort me,

No one to restore my spirit.”

Lamentations 1:16 (NIV) 

Remembrance Day often brings back sad memories of war and pain and loss.  Also this week, my husband and I sadly attended the funeral of a much-loved Pastor, friend and colleague.  In comforting the bereaved we often find ourselves at a loss for words.

My sister recently sent me a story she had received, probably from somebody who had been sent it by someone else who had also received it via email…..Author and Lecturer Leo Buscaglia once talked about a contest he was asked to judge. The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child. The winner was a four-year-old child whose next door neighbour was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman’s garden, climbed on to his lap, and just sat there. When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbour, the little boy said, “Nothing, I just helped him cry.” 

It is a touching story and reminds us that sometimes words are not necessary to comfort someone who is grieving. The Bible tells us to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep (Romans 12:15). James talks of visiting orphans and widows as pure religion (James 1:27). Love can be expressed through many forms, one of which is compassion. Compassion can be expressed through many forms, one of which is weeping. Have you ever ‘just helped someone cry’? 

Prayer

Father in Heaven, let me have a heart of compassion and like Jesus, weep with those who weep. Let me be aware of times when I can help to comfort and restore the spirit of the sorrowful.

Amen 

Study by Nancy Silcox