And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Matthew 28:20b
“When do we receive real comfort and consolation? Is it when someone teaches us how to think or act? Is it when we receive advice about where to go or what to do? Is it when we hear words of reassurance and hope? Sometimes perhaps? But what really counts is that in moments of pain and suffering someone stays with us.
More important than any particular action or word of advice is the simple presence of someone who cares. When someone says to us in the midst of a crisis, “I do not know what to say or what tot do, but I want you to realize that I am with you, that I will not leave you alone,” we have a friend through whom we can find consolation and comfort.
In a time filled with methods and techniques designed to change people, to influence their behavior, and to make them do new things and think new thoughts, we have lost the simple but difficult gift of being present to each other.
We have lost the gift because we have been led to believe that presence must be useful. We say, “Why should I visit this person? I can’t do anything anyway. I don’t even have anything to say. Of what use can I be?” Meanwhile, we have forgotten that it is often in “useless,” unpretentious, humble presence to each other that we feel consolation and comfort.”
Henri Nouwen in Compassion: A Reflection on the Christian Life (New York: Image Doubleday, 1983) 11-12.
Today is “Independence Day” in the USA. Each time it rolls around I remind myself and others that while our ancestors revolted against tyranny to establish a place for the freedoms that we now enjoy, our forefathers never intended us to navigate life in an independent manner.
The “simple but difficult gift” to give others especially during a pandemic is our presence. It’s difficult because at social distance it becomes really awkward. Checking in, perhaps with Zoom or some other tool, however, is important, not with an agenda, but to be present to each other.
As CEO of GTP with the saying “with you,” I have intentionally tried to build a culture of presence. You can read about it here. What’s been hard for me in this COVID season is to “be present” with people all over the world and still present to those around me. Despite the difficulty, we must try.
As COVID may be with us for a while, let us daily enjoy the gift of the presence of Jesus with us. We are not alone. From there, let us share the simple but difficult gift of being present to those around us and those we serve, reminding them that they are not alone.
And, together, let us declare our dependence on God and each other to make it through each day. I plan to do that today as Sophie, Peter, Jenni and I meet up with Jenni’s family at Lake Tahoe in a rented house to observe the 60th anniversary of her parents. Happy Anniversary, John and Wilma Pickrell.
With you!