This alone!  This alone is everything to me!

Walking with the broken requires the ability to give grace.  Giving grace to the person who, for whatever reason, be it heartache, sorrow, grief, loss, financial troubles, marital problems, a new diagnosis, strained friendships, difficult family dynamics, stress, anxiety, a recent move, is unable to be their strongest self.

What do I mean by giving grace?  I mean, accepting that the person may not be able to function as they normally would.  Loving them anyway.  Accepting that their actions during that time may indeed hurt you.  Loving them anyway.  Accepting that your relationship with that person may look a little different for a while because they might need to pull away.  Loving them anyway.  Accepting that none of us are perfect and we all deserve grace.  Turning the focus away from yourself and your needs and focusing on their needs.

September 29, 2017.  For the first time in my life, I was the broken one.  I managed to make it forty three years without being broken, bravely facing every challenge that came my way.  But losing my dad broke me.  Watching my mother grieve the love of her life broke me.  Trying to explain to my son with Down syndrome that his soul mate was gone broke me.

So many people walked with me while I was broken, each in their own way.  There were those who had also lost a parent, who provided words of comfort.  There were those who didn’t know what to say, so they simply sat with me in silence.  There were those who prayed for me.  Those who cried with me.  Those who held my shaking hands. Those who brought me a meal, because, well, food is comforting.  Those who provided a welcome distraction by leaving a fun basket on my porch.  They all walked with me.

It is so easy to sit with the great.  To be in awe of the power, the wealth and the glamour.  To go along with the fun, social crowd because their life seems more enticing, more exciting.  Because that road requires less of us emotionally.  Requires less effort.  Less self-reflection.  That road is less daunting.  I challenge you to ask yourself…what real fulfillment is that giving you?  How is that feeding your soul?  How is that bringing you closer to God?  Take a minute and think if you have indeed ever walked with the broken. Or have you shied away because that road is not as easy?  Because you are nervous, afraid or worried that you might not know what to say?

Walking with the broken is a beautiful, selfless act of love.  It can be as easy as looping your arm through their arm until their feet are steady again.  Opening your heart to them until their heart is mended.  Giving a smile until their smile can return.  Being their eyes when they cannot find their way.  Lending your ears when no one else will listen.  Being the light in their darkness.  Understanding and being patient, knowing this is only a temporary part of their journey.  All simple acts that can make a huge difference.

We find true joy in compassion.  Doesn’t it seem ironic that by suffering with another, we could find joy?  By simply being with someone in their time of despair we experience true humanity, loving our brothers and sisters through their weaknesses, which in turn, brings us joy.  Most importantly, it brings us closer to God.