While attending a funeral, a well-meaning mother wants to talk to her wife who is grieving because her husband died.
However, in reality she is even more troublesome. She even asked a lot of questions, starting from the condition of the husband before he died, what was his illness, when did he die, where, and so on.
As a result, the wife who was left behind by her husband was not comforted but even more sad because she had to remember about her husband.
In the book Something Else to Smile About by Zig Ziglar, there is a unique quote: “One reason why dogs are so comforting when you are sad is because they don’t try to figure out why you are sad”.
Whether we realize it or not, sometimes we don’t give ourselves to listen when our friend is grieving or having problems, but instead get busy asking questions or commenting.
Let’s recall the story of when Jesus raised Lazarus. When Jesus saw Mary weeping, Jesus did not immediately shower Mary with questions. He simply asked, “Where is he you lay?”. After that He wept with Mary. In this way, Jesus had shown His empathy for Mary who was plagued by grief because she had just been left behind by Lazarus, her brother.
Yes, in pain and suffering, sometimes what is needed is not the number of words spoken, enough empathy and sympathy manifested in presence and ears willing to listen.
Have we shown the right attitude to grieving friends, or family? Let us be good listeners and share their grief. Silence and listening sometimes mean more than thousands of pieces of advice.
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