Presence

When Job’s three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite, heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him.  When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him; they began to weep aloud, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads.  Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was                                            Job 2:11-13

I was speaking recently with a client about the value of presence. You know, just being there. Our presence with others in their time of need is powerful. The words we say are likely much less important than we might think.

I gave the example of Job’s friends, who came to minister to him in his time of trouble. We are familiar with the legendary Job, who endured much suffering. The story of his caring friends is instructive. When they heard about Job’s troubles, they planned together to comfort him. Indeed, they were distraught when they saw his suffering. They sat with him for seven days, and they were a comfort to him. Their presence, their planning to come together just to be with him, was reassuring and caring. They need not say a word.

So, we should never underestimate the value of being there for people. We have all experienced the comfort of the presence of friends at a funeral, when no words can convey our sorrow. A simple presence, a hug, an “I love you” will suffice when words cannot.

Prayer: Lord, help us to remember the value of our simple presence with others, Amen