Two men sat together in silence in front of a roaring fire. One was an elderly gentleman who lived alone, the other man a preacher. As the flames flickered and danced, the men sat motionless. After saying hello, neither man said a word.
The flames' glow illuminated the room with a dashing radiance. Together, the men sat until the inferno waned. The logs shrunk into glowing coals and ash.
One of the men, the preacher, rose and stirred the embers until a spark ignited flames that waltzed, once again.
The elderly man sat. The preacher sat. The preacher glanced at his watch and stood. It was time for him to leave.
"Thank you," the elderly man remarked, happy to have had the companionship. The smoldering embers imparted their afterglow upon his glistening face.
"My pleasure," the preacher responded.
"See you at church on Sunday," the elderly man said. His eyes were moist with tears. The man had not been in church in years. That day, he had been so comforted by the preacher's visit, the man made the decision to return to church.
Silence speaks volumes.
A few years ago, a father taught a Stephens' Ministry class I was attending. He explained that, when he was grieving the loss of his 11-year-old son, people who just sat with him without talking had a healing effect. The father is now active in Stephens Ministry. When he visits a grieving person, he and the ailing person often just sit, without speaking.
As author Anne Lamott notes, sometimes all you can do for someone in crisis is simply show up. Just showing up can have a powerful healing effect.
Chris Karcher is the author of "Relationships of Grace" and "Amazing Things I Know About You." Chris can be reached at www.relationshipsofgrace.com.
Comments