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the friend who cares

Posted on June 29, 2009June 29, 2009 by Norm

pastoralcareWhat do you think?

“The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not-knowing, not-curing, not-healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is the friend who cares.” (Henry Nouwen)

3 thoughts on “the friend who cares”

  1. twiggy says:
    June 30, 2009 at 7:16 am

    who in my life is experiencing grief and bereavement? I have no excuse to offer Gods love of friendship to them … this is a good reminder for me … excuse me while I make some phone calls and send an email …

    Reply
  2. twiggy says:
    June 30, 2009 at 7:14 am

    unfortunately what holds people back from entering into a person’s grief and bereavement is the whole notion that they feel they cannot help or cure or provide an answer …

    … we cannot always fix everything or say the perfect, comforting word. We have to be willing to face our powerlessness and merely offer our presence in those times.

    It should not be about us … it needs to be about the person who is grieving

    Reply
  3. twiggy says:
    June 29, 2009 at 7:11 pm

    The key word here is “with us”

    Having the presence of a friend is a priceless gift even if they are silent – the fact that they are present is more important.

    Reply

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Nathaniel Hawthorne described happiness as a butterfly, which, when pursued, is always just beyond your grasp, but which, if you sit down quietly, may alight upon you. And it’s like that with the Spirit of God. He is not seized. He is received.

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