He suffers.
I feel it a phusical twist of my heart, as I look at him.
He suffers, and it matters not from what, or the why.
I know much about him by now and this is rare
For rarely do I know about the ones I am assigned to.
It is only for me to see the suffering.
Acknowledge it.
Give voice to it. Name it. Point to it.
Perhaps stand beside and help confront, if I am asked.
But this one is different.
I care that it is there in him.
I care and I do that by being present.
By showing up.
By taking the risk that what I feel in my heart is what I shoud acknowledge.
Experience has taught me this is so. Experience, and....the Protectors whom I serve.
We don't often take this deep a risk.
We are too vulnerable, too cautious, too protective of ourselves.
Fear.
That is why.
I have not counted, but I have heard it said, that in His Book, over two hundred times man is advised to fear not.
It is easier said than done.
But it is easier done with help, with others, even with one other, who stands by your side with no other word than.....
....I am here.
That is the gift of compassion.....the gift of presence.
The gift once given becomes the possession of the receiver, from the moment that is given, and going forth and forever.
Different things can happen to a gift but it is all in the hands of the receiver.
The gift may be set upon a shelf, to look at, to cherish, and maybe to be used only in the event that company comes and we decide to be something that we are not, but once it is set upon a shelf it is never really used.
Set upon a shelf without attention, slowly its warmth leaves, its value leeches out, until it is useless.
In the effort to preserve it, actually it fades away.
The only way to save it is to use it.
I see him, wounded, but in silence.
I see that he carries that war wound like a crown.
We all will wear crowns one day.
But isn't it ironic, that on that day, when we receive what it is we think we want most, we will nto care about it.
We will not sit it upon the shelf where it will only get dusty and tarnished,
we will not save it for when company comes.
We will not count the jewels in it nor compare it to anyone else's for it will not matter.
What will matter most is presence.
I am here.
Take my hand.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tB24d--KzAs
Song: Hands
Artist: Jewel
If I could tell the world just one thing
It would be that we're all OK
And not to worry 'cause worry is wasteful
And useless in times like these
I won't be made useless
I won't be idle with despair
I will gather myself around my faith
For light does the darkness most fear
My hands are small, I know
But they're not yours, they are my own
But they're not yours, they are my own
And I am never broken
Poverty stole your golden shoes
It didn't steal your laughter
And heartache came to visit me
But I knew it wasn't ever after
We'll fight, not out of spite
For someone must stand up for what's right
'Cause where there's a man who has no voice
There ours shall go singing
My hands are small I know
But they're not yours, they are my own
But they're not yours, they are my own
I am never broken
In the end only kindness matters
In the end only kindness matters
I will get down on my knees, and I will pray
I will get down on my knees, and I will pray
I will get down on my knees, and I will pray
My hands are small I know
But they're not yours, they are my own
But they're not yours, they are my own
And I am never broken
My hands are small I know
But they're not yours, they are my own
But they're not yours, they are my own
And I am never broken
We are never broken
We are God's eyes
God's hands
God's mind
We are God's eyes
God's hands
God's heart
We are God's eyes
God's hands
God's eyes
We are God's hands
We are God's hands
