Memorable Moment

Today I had a very memorable moment that I'd like to remember and so I am writing about it. I have often felt like I have not enough sympathy for those that are experiencing difficulties in their lives. Don't get me wrong, I love my friends and would do anything for them, but sometimes I lack the emotional sympathy. I can't say I get this from a parent, because they are both amazingly sympathetic. And I must admit that since having kids I have gotten so much better, it is a weakness that I have been working on since I got married.... Anyways back to my story. Today I was sitting in the break room when a co-worker came in and started crying. We are not the closest co-workers but we are still friends. She had just received the results of her four year old daughters MRI results. They told her that her daughter had water on the brain. Her heart was broken, her spirits thrashed. I immediately stood and gave her a hug and tried my best to think of something that would make her feel better. She went and sat on the couch and I sat at the table. As she cried I had a small little voice tell me that I needed to mourn with those that mourn and comfort those that stand in need of comfort. I looked at her and thought how am I going to mourn with her? What does that mean? How do I comfort her, what could I possibly do to comfort this poor mother? My heart was pounding, what was my role or duty, and how could I accomplish it? After a minute or so I started asking questions like, what made you guys get an MRI and what kind of Doctor was it that ran the tests? Why I asked these kinds of questions I don't know, but she really opened up and told me all about their experience so far. She started to calm down a bit and focus on the story. After that I expressed my knowledge that our God is a loving God and that he doesn't give us any challenge we cannot handle. I told her it's ok to cry and to cry all she wanted. I told her that she was strong, her daughter was strong, her family was strong and they would make it through this challenge. There were many more things we discussed and honestly I can't remember them all. I felt some of the tension leave the room as we talked more and I felt a good sense of fulfillment. So many times my reaction would have been to tell her everything would be just fine and there was nothing to worry about, but this time my compassion was taken to a new level. I mourned with her and not just for her, I wanted to take a portion of her pain on myself to relieve her of that hurt! We are asked to simply mourn with those that mourn, not solve all their problems. We are ask to comfort those that need our comfort, not judge them or belittle their issues! We are not asked to do much, just to do our best to help out! This mother's life was forever changed today and I can't help but feel grateful that I was able to be there for her. That I was able to wipe tears as they fell, hug her, cry with her and listen to her as she talked her issues through. I am so thankful for the opportunity I had to be about my father's duty and for the prompting to do so. So many times I might have just left her alone and figured that would be better than the awkward silence and tears. How great it is to know that our Father in Heaven loves us and that he will send someone to help out if we need it. What a great opportunity I was blessed with today, one that I hope not to forget soon!