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To those left behind

You know what really hurts?
When you get hurt and no one notices, or cares or says out loud that they care.
When something shakes your world and leaves you feeling breathless and the rest of the world continues without noticing--it makes you mad.

How could they not stop and suffer for a moment with me?
How could they not offer a word or thought or gesture of care?
How can their life simply march forward like it did yesterday while my world has been left shattered?

When you're left grieving and you physically ache with each breath you take, you want someone, anyone, to at least ask if you're okay.

Compassion:
a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune,accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering. (Dictionary.com)

Here's the thought that struck me today... Compassion, empathy and sympathy are not for the dead but for the living left behind. You may not emotionally grieve for a person lost whom you never knew or had a connection to, but your heart can sympathize or show compassion for the person who is personally grieving that loss. You see their tears and hear their cries--you show them compassion not for the sake of the person lost but for the sake of human compassion for their living loved ones left behind.





This is why silence after loss is so unnerving. Everyone wants to be noticed, to be loved, to be attended to. Your silence during their darkest hour shouts you are not worth my time.






This is why a card, a text, a vigil, a tweet, a status post is so cherished. You noticed me. You noticed my suffering. You purposefully stopped your world for a moment to stop with mine.






This is what Jesus did. He wept not for His sake but for the great compassion He felt at the sight of the agony His friends were experiencing. He did not scold them. He had no harsh words or reprimands. He simply had compassion.






“When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled.


Jesus wept.”


‭‭John‬ ‭11:33, 35‬ ‭ESV‬‬


http://bible.com/59/jhn.11.33,35.esv



(Italics mine)






This is what Jesus did. This is what we who represent Him are supposed to do--be deeply moved by the sorrow of others.


This is why when bad things happen the world looks to see what those who proclaim peace, kindness and goodwill to men will say in their moment of sorrow. Who will we represent in that most tender moment?


Our own political opinion? Our own self righteous knowledge? Our own theology?


Or will we represent the heart of the One who weeps and has great compassion when He sees His creation broken hearted?






“Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.”


‭‭Romans‬ ‭12:15‬ ‭TLV‬‬


http://bible.com/314/rom.12.15.tlv



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