Readings: Malachi 3:1-4; Philippians 1:3-11; Luke 3:1-6

I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to think that this way about all of you, because you hold me in your heart, for all of you share in God’s grace with me, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God.

It seems to me that most everyone is hanging on by a thread these days, not just because of the high level of anxiety our recent election created, but in general. I’ve written more condolence letters in the last year than in all the rest of my life combined. Ergo — many people I know are grieving. Losses abound: loss of long-held dreams and expectations; loss of health; loss of stability. People are struggling financially. We are experiencing an epidemic of social isolation and deep loneliness.

Who isn’t hurting? I survey my friends and am struck by their challenges and their strengths in the face of it all. I try to be encouraging without coming across as someone who has it all together which I don’t. In the face of their pain, I acknowledge that words are usually inadequate. What my friends want and need are what A.A. Milne’s character Piglet offered Pooh on a Difficult Day. They want me to sit beside them quietly not offering advice or platitudes, not even hope. Not forcing conversation. Simply being together. All things are easier when we know we have someone there for us. The side-by-side assurance that I am there for them goes a long way. Just that.

For those who I can’t physically sit beside, I try to convey, as the Philippians’ verses above opine, that “I have [them] in my heart.” This image seems more powerful than just words. Words, however, like John O’Donohue’s definition of a blessing can help capture a helpful image:

“A blessing is a circle of light drawn around a person to protect, heal and    strengthen.”

Between imagining a hurting friend surrounded by a healing circle of light and mindfully holding them and their pain close within my heart as a means of standing long-distance witness to their situations, that is what I can do from afar to show my love and support.

Mainly, though, what I’ve personally found helpful when I’ve experienced high anxiety or low depression is knowing that I’m not unique and alone in my misery. Knowing that other people are struggling with my same issues is powerful and at the heart of why 12 Step peer support groups are so successful. When we’re ministered to via shared vulnerability and sincere empathy — no judgments, no comparisons, no advice — we are comforted.

I aspire to be like Piglet. He. Is. There. That’s enough, more than enough.

Offered by Jill Fredrickson, God’s beloved child.