Tuesday, June 19, 2012

EMPTY WORDS

I have always felt blessed thinking the Lord has given me words of encouragement when talking with people. However, there have been a few times in my life when I was speechless. One of them was the night I held my girlfriend in my arms. Each of us sobbing. Her son, granddaughter and grandson were hit by a train. Her son died at the scene. Her four year old granddaughter died about eleven hours later. Her eight month old grandson, who was in the backseat of the car didn't have a scratch on him. That night no words came to me. 
There have been a few other times when someone has called to tell me they have been diagnosed with cancer, or their Father just had a fatal heart attack. Most of those times I have been speechless have been the "surprise" events of our lives.
I have learned though, it's not what I say. It's being there, holding them in my arms. Letting them know I love them. 
There are times when words aren't important.
I Corinthians 13:1 If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn't love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

That is oh so true, just to know someone is with you supporting you.


Char

Kathryn Neff Perry, PhD, MA, LMHC said...

Thanks Char. I call those people, "angels with skin"..... you're one of them by the way---

Carol J. Garvin said...

I pray for the right words, and if none come I accept that He is telling me none are required. But it's hard, especially if the person who is hurting wants answers. We understand that sometimes there just aren't any, but they don't. I just hug a little harder.

Kathryn Neff Perry, PhD, MA, LMHC said...

Carol,
I think, for me anyway, it's because I'm a "fixer". So I always think I have to say something, to comfort them. When actually what they really need is for me just to be there beside them. Praying and maybe holding them.