SEPTEMBER 11

Being There

Galatians 6:2-3

I RECALL A TIME, WAY BACK IN 1980, when Cynthia was told she needed a biopsy —the doc found a lump and said he “didn’t like the way it felt.” Since her mother died (in her mid-forties) of breast cancer, we have always entertained a special sensitivity about that similar fate striking her. Well, I hit bottom! Fear’s ugly head arose and dealt a serious blow to my otherwise peaceful spirit. I called a quick pastoral staff meeting, trying the old stiff-upper-lip approach as I described what we were facing. My communication failed miserably. Instead of describing what was before us in a deliberate and objective manner, I broke into sobs. The best I could do was mumble something about the procedure, admit my fears, and choke out a closing comment, “I’m sorry . . . I just can’t seem to get a handle on this.” I got up and walked out embarrassed at my weakness.

To my surprise, one of the men on our staff had followed me out the door. He gently turned me around by the shoulders, looked me straight in the eyes, and —weeping —said, “Chuck, you don’t always have to have a handle on everything.” He embraced me with genuine understanding. It was an important lesson to me.

Paul’s words to the Galatian Christians became a reality in my life:

Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.

GALATIANS 6:2-3

I’m so thankful that in my time of need —deep need —that brother did not think himself too important to approach me with such care. His loving embrace and thoughtful words brought peace to my trembling knees.

Be available to people. Don’t hesitate when you feel an impulse to call, to send that text, or to drop by that office. You’ll never know what a difference you’ll make. Don’t put it off. Be there.