I’m sitting at San Laurio Coffee this morning with an Oak Creek student. I received a text from her last night requesting prayer for one of her friends and her friend’s mother who was reported missing yesterday. The mother was a member of the Sikh temple, and this morning now reported to be shot and killed in yesterday’s event.
What do you say when there’s nothing to say? As a pastor, I find myself in situations such as this form time to time. Like the time I prepared a funeral for a stillborn child who’s parents tried years of desperation to get pregnant. Or when I was talking to a single mother of three during her battle with cancer. 17 year old kids shouldn’t have to process stuff like this… no one should for that matter.
As best I can tell, when there’s nothing to say it’s best not to say anything at all. The best counseling you can offer is half listening, half prayer, and somewhere in the middle of all that you offer some encouragement or advice if God gives it to you.
Great post… a mentor of mine talks about the “ministry of the presence.” Words seldom help, but by being with someone, you help them to believe God is with them.
Great title for it Chris.
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“Ministry of Presence” is very powerful when you are with someone who is diing or one of their family members. Prayer, presence, listening, a smile of care and asking if they would like you to pray with them or how you can pray for them or their family member. The gift of your time is a very special gift that God gives you to share and shows that you and He cares.
lil karen