Your love keeps me going...

What is the greatest comfort you can give to someone in adversity? What if you are not in control of the situation? What if the person does not seem to crawl out of the pits?

Love them, and let them know that they are loved no matter what.

It will give them strength they know not of. It will draw them out of the pits when they are ready. It will be their safety net when it is time to walk the line. That will be their personal strength when the dust settles and the days look brighter.

The days when I was sad, God sent friends to help me along. There was an email that went 'The only thing worse than your tears is your silence'... There were those who called and even if they could not help, they occupied my time by talking about the daily things with me till it was the end of another day. There were also those who listened so much that I was touched by their patience.

I have learnt so much about giving comfort in my own down times. It is not helping the person to find a solution (unless her car is stuck in the middle of the highway and she calls you), but in matters of grief and sadness, to strengthen the heart with 'If you feel that you are so loved, so cherished and you are so precious to God and those around you, would that help you take a step out of the pits? Would that help you conquer your despair?'

It doesn't even require an ice axe or behemoth strength. Just a gentle spirit, and a contrite heart.