FRIEND WHO SERVES

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

Sorry I missed you yesterday.

But yesterday was an “out the door at four” kind of day, so no “OFW” (Opportunities for Writing)

But enough of that.

On to today’s OFH.

“When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives mean the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness that is a friend who cares.” ― Henri J.M. Nouwen

The first paragraph of this quote was shared yesterday during a full-day RECOVERY education event I was so blessed to serve in Canfield, Ohio.

Before I go any further, this was one the most amazing days of education and enlightenment we have hosted thus far.  There was an amazing spirit of engagement with the 200 plus care givers, faith-leaders, community members, and professionals.  Our topics included grief, trauma, dealing with overdose, and the role of faith and recovery of course.

Yet it was during the morning keynote that this little quote from Nouwen, a prominent Catholic theologian who turned his last decade into a selfless life of service, was shared by a decorated trauma specialist.

And while I use Nouwen A LOT in my speaking because he has the heart that I wish to emulate and inspire in others, the heart of Christ (the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life – Matthew 28:20 NIV), I hadn’t spent much time parsing this nugget of wisdom. 

BUT I would encourage each of us to take a second and do just that.

Are we friends like Nouwen suggests?

Friends who instead of blurting advice and suggestion are willing to share our experiences in authentic, caring, and transparent ways to demonstrate empathy and love?

Friends who are willing to wade into messes with folks rather than judging them or immediately grabbing their broom and cleaning?

Friends dedicated to listening rather than pontificating?

Friends who…

…can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness…?

That requires of us to be not only friends who listen and care but friends who serve.

Hesse once remarked?

(the)…”goal is this: always to put myself in the place in which I am best able to serve, wherever my gifts and qualities find the best soil to grow, the widest field of action. There is no other goal.”

I think Nouwen, Hesse and Jesus are most correct!

The question is will you be a friend today? 

A friend who listens?

A friend who wades?

A friend who cares?

A friend who serves?

Hope so.

Have a blessed weekend.

I love you all.

OPPORTUNITIES for HOPE