.: so near to suffering :.

There is a woman weeping next to me. I sure wish I knew what she was crying about. It looks like she is pouring her thoughts, maybe even her prayers, into that little journal. Her grief seems deep, though she seems to be doing quite well at holding back the full weight of her emotions. I wish I could help her. I wish that I could step into her situation and bring her some help. Maybe she needs peace right now over a situation that seems beyond her control. She keeps wiping away her tears. I wonder what is provoking them to pour out, right here, right now. As conversations continue all around her, she must be feeling so tremendously lonely. What would it take for me to speak a word of peace or blessing to her? Would she even accept it, or would it only deepen the pain or loneliness? She has now picked up a book, probably hoping to forget what has maybe only now caught up to her. I doubt it will help much. Who is in this room that could put their arm around her? Maybe a friend who knows her name and could speak to some of her pain, her fears or intense feelings? She is much older than me. Would she even care to hear what anyone might say? I know that in my own life, I would far rather hold onto my isolation than have it shattered by the misspoken words of a well-intentioned individual. Is it worth the risk to try and offer some consolation, knowing that I may only succeed in making her feel more awkward. Her heart seems to have silenced now. She remains pretty calm, considering her posture and muffled sounds only minutes ago. How could I even begin to assume that I know what she is going through right now? I hate when people say such words. It only weighs me down with more grief, bothered by the reality that I don't always see God's hand in all of these things. Such pride would only tear at the sutures that are beginning to be internally woven. But are we really left to ourselves in this world, apart from the divine comfort we often sense from above? Maybe that is why it is so important to be fostering deep relationships, so that I might be ministered to at every point in my day. Then again, what is the fellowship of the Body good for if not to speak a fresh word from God into the heart and life of another sister or brother in the faith? But that would require the sort of confidence that would undo the cultural norms that I have embraced in this society. Speak only when spoken to - not without invitation! How sad it is that we cannot extend grace to another lest we offend them or make their burden more severe. Father, give her the grace that she needs to be where she is this very moment! Alas, the word of grace, as silent as it just happened.