A Letter to the Hurting

Plato said we ought to "be kind, everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle". I know I have fought my share, and know there will be more to come. In the midst of the worst of the battles I felt like I was the only one struggling, but the more people I meet and really listen to the more I realize that old Plato was right. Having said that, today's posting is an open letter to my friends currently waging their own private battles.

My beloved friends, new, old, only just discovered;
I want you to know I am praying earnestly for you, whether I know all the details of you private battles or not. I don't need that knowledge to see you are hurting and to want to make the hurt a little easier to bear. They say joy shared is doubled, but sorrow shared is halved. You have been there to carry me through my pain, grief, fear and doubt. Let me now have the privilege of returning the favour.

What ever you may need I am here, to listen, to be a shoulder to cry on, to reassure you when you have doubts, to offer what meager wisdom I have gained. If you need to go out, have some fun and just forget, I can do that. If you need to dig through the rubble, I can do that too. When you can not find your faith I will offer you mine. When you feel to weak to go on rest here a while with me. If the night is too dark & silent call me. I will listen to God's voice for you when you're not sure you are getting through. I know He will never let you fall beyond where His hand can reach, but if you need a hand to hold here is mine.

I believe we are all connected to one another, living stones in walls that surround and support those we love. When you feel lost and alone know that you ARE loved, you ARE precious, you ARE cherished. We are not friends by accident or happenstance. We were meant to be friends. You have something unique that I need in my life, and I hope you find something you need in me as well. I love you, my friend. And no matter what, that love is a choice, an act of will. Yes and Amen.

There. I'm glad I got that said. And if, by chance, you read this and you are not a part of my personal circle of friends, I am sure there are friends in your life who do love you like this. And if no one else does, I know Jesus does. Don't know Him? It's time you let Him introduce Himself.

Be Blessed, my friends, you are loved.