Matthew 22:39 (NLT)
A second [command] is equally important:
“Love your neighbor as yourself.”
OK, Lord, I get that I’m not just looking out for my own good. But how do I sort out what’s best for everybody? Whose needs are more important? Social justice gets complicated. Grant us wisdom. Your will be done.
If my neighbour’s set upon
I will come to his aid,
but when the danger’s past and gone,
I’m expecting to be paid.
Here on cancer’s journey
I’ve seen friends fall away;
did they decide to spurn me,
or did they not know what to say?
Their excuses do not matter,
and I’ll fight this thing alone.
But when they choose a soul to shatter,
they should know they can’t atone.
Those who would a call on help assert
should look back upon whom they’ve hurt.
“Did they not know what to say?” Often, Andrew, that’s exactly what keeps people away. Sometimes there are no words; we need to silently come alongside the one who is suffering. Many of your blog posts help us understand how it’s done.
I hope, with all my heart, that it’s the contribution I make, for loneliness is by far the worst thing.