Does anyone care?

A family of four moved across country one summer and settled in a smaller town in which everyone was very close-knit. Feeling like outsiders, the family went about moving in without much outside help until one day their neighbor's small daughter came over and introduced herself, "Hi, I'm Mary. What are you guys doing?" The family's young daughter of about the same age came over and began talking with Mary. The two became friends and as a result, the family was introduced to the community. They became part of the "family" of neighbors and enjoyed the friendship of many others on their block.

One day the sad news came that Mary had been hit by a car while playing in the street. After doctors did all they could to fix her injuries, she passed away. The neighborhood was in a state of shock. Their perfect community was rocked by the news. Everyone knew and loved Mary. While families scrambled for ways to sympathize with Mary's family, one single act comforted Mary's mother most. The little girl Mary had first befriended walked over to Mary's house, knocked on her door, and when she was ushered in, she walked over to where Mary's mother was sitting on the couch, climbed into her lap, and laid her head on the mother's chest while the little girl cried.

We all know what it feels like to experience grief, perhaps you are grieving right now.  The loneliest feeling is grieving alone, experiencing the loss, pain and emotional toil without anyone to comfort you.  Single parents know that feeling all too well.

Knowing how it feels to go through grief and loss by ourselves should encourage us to show compassion when we see others that are grieving.  Sometimes we don't even have to say a word but simply be there for the person, even a simple hug can "say" so much!  If you aren't the hugging kind of person then send a card, bake a cake, offer to watch their children for a couple of hours so that they can have some time to themselves, anything to let them know that you care and they are not alone.

Let's not forget that our children watch how we respond to others that are hurting.  When we encourage others, we teach our children how to respond when someone is grieving and we teach them the art of compassion which our Heavenly Father showed to us so many times in scripture.

Do you know someone that is hurting?  Let's determine to show our them we care by taking a few minutes of our busy day and expressing our love and compassion.  Someone really needs to know we care... let's show them we do!