Listening ear

Luke 24:14-17 NLT

As they walked along they were talking about everything that had happened. [15] As they talked and discussed these things, Jesus Himself suddenly came and began walking with them. [16] But God kept them from recognising him. [17] He asked them, "What are you discussing so intently as you walk along?" They stopped short, sadness written across their faces.

Talking things out is very therapeutic when sorrow and sadness has invaded our lives.

Bottling up emotions may look brave but there are negative physical consequences in so doing.

Isn't it amazing how Jesus comes alongside at just the right time, as He did on that Emmaus road on that Resurrection evening?

He could've jumped straight in and revealed Himself, but He let them talk out their sadness and disappointment first.

Yesterday as we walked our new pup along the road, a widowed lady nearby came to see him. We told her about our loss and shared our sadness - then she started to share her ongoing grief about losing her husband of nearly 50 years.

Precious tears gently rolled down her cheeks. She apologised. I stopped her and said:" No, please don't be sorry. Those tears are sacred to the memory of your husband."

The Lord gave us tears as the overflow of the soul. Our tears are so precious to God that He keeps them in His "treasure bottle".

Psalm 56:8 NLT

You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in Your bottle. You have recorded each one in Your book.

Then we walked by her side as she told her story. What a privilege to share in that way.

Could you or I be that same listening ear to some grieving heart today?

Use the comfort Jesus has given and pass it on to someone in need.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NLT

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. [4] He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.