The tears of a friend

The tears of a friend can hit you harder than a ton of bricks. Today, people everywhere are crying. Some near by, some far away. As with all days, today was long and rough. But for many of us it hit much closer to home than we would have liked.

There is so much I want to say right now and most of it I don't have the words for. There is so much I want to be able to help with and most of I wouldn't even know what to do anyways. I think probably one of the best emails I've ever received was from my old youth pastor Malcolm when my mom died:

Louise.

Many, many people are going to say to you, "I don't know what to say" or "there are no words". They're right, but I also believe that there ARE words to be said -- but not by us, because we are all too small to overcome this alone.

I long and hope that when you hear Christ in your heart during this time, that you'll have a chance to hear Him tell you what you need to hear, in a way that matters and means something.

I will be praying for that - anything else from my mouth or any other mortal person's is just loving noise, and when we all come and stare into the abyss with you, and mutter sounds that make none of the pain go away -- please hear what we are really saying.

We love you.

--Malcolm

He is right. Theres nothing that can be said. And his note doesn't only pertain to that situation, but in anything in which pain is caused and hope is lost. Honestly, there is really nothing that I or anyone else can do or say that will make things better. For anyone. All we can do is be there and love them.

You all are amazing and deserve more than this.

Don't lose hope.