“Make your love increase and overflow for each other.” –1 Thessalonians 3:12
This past weekend, I travelled to Tennessee for the funeral of our dear friends’ son. He was a young adult who lived life to the fullest and had a winsome way of engaging others.
The most remarkable part of the weekend was seeing how people showed up. Nearly 200 friends from all over the world traveled thousands of miles to show their love for this grieving family.
It reminded me of a story I read about a reporter who was driving along the Blue Ridge Parkway in the middle of a storm. He was struck by the beautiful tree branches, bowing low under the weight of the heavy snow. As he drove through a clearing, he noticed to his dismay that the branches of the trees in the clearing had broken. The snow had been too heavy for these trees and their limbs now lay distorted on the ground or hanging by a thread from the trunk. He continued on, and once again saw a heavily wooded area with the tree branches intact.
He realized that when the trees were close together, the branches intertwined and the trees were able to support each other. But facing the elements alone, a single tree was no match for the weather.
When we go through difficult times, we need the support of others to help minimize the damage. The apostle Paul says that our love should overflow for each other. We are called to find ways to come alongside those who are in crisis to love and support them through the difficult times. This means more than simply sending a card that says, “Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help.”
Love and support is often most helpful when it’s practical. Here are some specific ways you can love someone going through a difficult time:
- Take them a meal
- Wash their car
- Clean their house or offer to hire a cleaning service
- Sit with them (words aren’t necessary)
- Run errands
- Email or text a scripture verse or encouraging quote — along with a message giving them permission to not respond
- Remember significant days — anniversaries, birthdays — by making a note on your calendar
When we respond in these ways, we come alongside others, spreading our “branches” of love to help them in their brokenness. This week let us be alert for opportunities to support and encourage each other.
—Kathy McMillan, MA, is director of employee spiritual care at Loma Linda University Medical Center.
