Let Somebody Love You

It was the first anniversary of losing my mom, Beazy; and I had made it almost through the day with no tearful breakdowns. I was feeling confident, cool, calm, and collected. That was until I saw a group of dear friends.

Without warning, the floodgates opened, in public, surrounded by lots of people. I wish I could tell you it was Hollywood-style beautiful tears that make you look more lovely. Nope. This was more like out-of-control ugly crying, and I didn’t know when, or if, the tears would ever stop. After a year of working feverishly to convince everyone around me that I didn’t need anyone or anything, that facade vanished in an instant.

Thankfully, a friend quickly asked if he and the others could pray for me. It was crazy that even though I’d been following Jesus for over ten years, it had never occurred to me to ask anyone to pray for my deep debilitating sadness.

As several compassionate friends gathered around me, they prayed specifically that God would take away some of the pain. And He did.

That night was a turning point—the moment I first believed that God might be able to heal my broken heart.

I wish I could tell you the sky immediately parted, my mom came back, and I was never sad again. But what did happen though, was a gradual shift in my heart, and a realization that there were people who were willing to walk with me and carry some of the heavy burden of grief.

I was not alone. You, my friend, are not alone either.

Ecclesiastes 4:12 “A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.”

How about you?

Is there a practical step you can take today, even if it feels awkward to invite someone into your pain? Make a list of a few people who might be willing to walk with you.