She Was Crying
Another Day Along the Way
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Another day,
My friend texted me this message: "I just watched a mother with two small children say goodbye to her Army husband. She was crying. Now I am too."
Saying goodbye isn't easy. Especially when those we hug are leaving for a long distance and a long time. Especially when we aren't sure when, or if, they'll return.
I could discuss more about war and injuries and death. I try to honor soldiers and I have many friends who are wounded. So, I would say too much. For now, I want to focus on that one family as they waved goodbye. I want us to learn about our own families and friends, their crying, and our own goodbyes.
Does that man have a friend? Who cared enough for him to build a relationship, to invite him to a meal, to write a brief note of kindness? Does his wife have a group of caregivers? Who will ask her questions and listen to her answers? Who will be there for moments of sadness, tears, prayers? Who will help by spending time with those two small children?
My friend said, "She was crying. Now I am too."
Let's add this: "God cares for that family. Can't we?"
Yes, we can. Though we don't know them, we know so many in similar seasons of life. A friend or family member has departed - to war, to work, to sickness, to death, to a choice of leaving, to seek happiness in various ways. Or, a friend or family member has departed mentally while still living nearby - they work hard but never engage in conversations, care, compassion.
We can care. We can cry. We can invest time by interrupting our own addictive behavior and routines. We can enter the stories of others and offer a few minutes, a few meals, a few words.
They are crying. Are we noticing?
God is caring. Are we?
Along the way,
Chris Maxwell
Personal Study: What is this sad season of your life teaching you? How can your weakness make you strong? (Changing My Mind: A Journey of Disability and Joy, Chris Maxwell)
Chris Maxwell's article about singer/songwriter David Wilcox is in the new issue of Northeast Georgia Living. He will write more about his interview with Wilcox in upcoming Another Days, but you can obtain that magazine to read the article:
"David Wilcox and His Tunes for Fellow Travelers"
Northeast Georgia LivingSpring, 2009
http://www.northeastgeorgialiving.com/
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Another day,
My friend texted me this message: "I just watched a mother with two small children say goodbye to her Army husband. She was crying. Now I am too."
Saying goodbye isn't easy. Especially when those we hug are leaving for a long distance and a long time. Especially when we aren't sure when, or if, they'll return.
I could discuss more about war and injuries and death. I try to honor soldiers and I have many friends who are wounded. So, I would say too much. For now, I want to focus on that one family as they waved goodbye. I want us to learn about our own families and friends, their crying, and our own goodbyes.
Does that man have a friend? Who cared enough for him to build a relationship, to invite him to a meal, to write a brief note of kindness? Does his wife have a group of caregivers? Who will ask her questions and listen to her answers? Who will be there for moments of sadness, tears, prayers? Who will help by spending time with those two small children?
My friend said, "She was crying. Now I am too."
Let's add this: "God cares for that family. Can't we?"
Yes, we can. Though we don't know them, we know so many in similar seasons of life. A friend or family member has departed - to war, to work, to sickness, to death, to a choice of leaving, to seek happiness in various ways. Or, a friend or family member has departed mentally while still living nearby - they work hard but never engage in conversations, care, compassion.
We can care. We can cry. We can invest time by interrupting our own addictive behavior and routines. We can enter the stories of others and offer a few minutes, a few meals, a few words.
They are crying. Are we noticing?
God is caring. Are we?
Along the way,
Chris Maxwell
Personal Study: What is this sad season of your life teaching you? How can your weakness make you strong? (Changing My Mind: A Journey of Disability and Joy, Chris Maxwell)
Chris Maxwell's article about singer/songwriter David Wilcox is in the new issue of Northeast Georgia Living. He will write more about his interview with Wilcox in upcoming Another Days, but you can obtain that magazine to read the article:
"David Wilcox and His Tunes for Fellow Travelers"
Northeast Georgia LivingSpring, 2009
http://www.northeastgeorgialiving.com/
3 Comments:
Thanks mr max. I'll check on the Wilcox article. We get that magazine. Pray I do what you are talking about. You know I get in too big a hurry an dforget stuff. I'll do better.
John
Almost four years ago Chris prayed for and welcomed our little newborn girl into church here in Orlando. Today is my wife's birthday and she was crying as well. She cried for our little angel because God decided she should be with Him in February of 2008. Cancer took her body but cannot take her life which is only God's to do with as He sees fit.
What has it taught us? To be more compasionate, more caring, more realistic, and something of even more importance. To focus on the most important and only real rock in life, God! There is no way to describe adequately what it is like to hold your two year old when her little heart stops. Only God can provide refuge from the intensity of that kind of storm. God is all that is left.
We know we will hold her in our arms again because God is true to His promises. We must only be true to Him :)..
May God bless you all! Keep plugging away Chris and thanks for all the encouragement you gave us along the way.
Love Wilcox. I'll try to get your story. Look foward to you writing. Thanks for that word today too.
a
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