The Power of Presence
After all that has happened with my health, there are many things I have learned about the power of “being” and the power of “presence.” This past year has been a lesson-learning time for me – a time to learn to just be and not worry about not being able to do something in return. That guilt-free acceptance of something. And truly, how many of us are good at that? For me, I struggle with accepting something without feeling I need to do something back. But that is not giving or receiving. I’ve got it all mixed up!
After talking with a friend about helping others through hard times, one of the things I’ve learned is that the gift of just being there, is incredibly powerful. I’m sure you’ve been there. A friend, family member, or co-worker has just gone through a tough season of life and you wonder, how can I help? You want to help in any way you can, but how?
So hard to know. And every person is different. But I have found that one of the most powerful things you can offer someone in need is PRESENCE. The ability to just be there. Be there with a word of encouragement. Be there with a meal. Be there to vent to. Be there via a text. Be there with a surprise something. Be there to help out if needed.
And I get it. Sometimes time is the hardest thing to find. And that’s okay. But a simple text. A simple reminder can go so far! I know I’ve mentioned this before, but we’ve been so humbly blessed with the gift of “you name it.” Truly, we have been given it all in our time of need. And I can’t say that there is a right or wrong way to encourage someone.
But what I will say is that the gift of just knowing someone is there for you, is incredibly powerful. Just knowing someone is a phone call away, is comforting to someone who doesn’t know what the next hour will bring. But then it’s my job to make that phone call, guilt-free. And that’s where I stink at it! I want to do something in return to thank them, but I know from their perspective, that is not why they offered their presence!
How about you? What is the most powerful way that you’ve felt the love from a friend, family member, or co-worker? We have all been through tough times in life. Times when we wonder, how am I going to get through this season of life? But I’m sure we can all look back and think of ways that people have touched our lives. And what a blessing and gift from God that is – that someone is offering to be an extension of God’s heart, to influence ours. What a gift.
