Thoughts for Life: The Present/Listening Dogs

Julie Ackerman Link shares with us:

"After 20 children and 6 staff members were murdered in a Connecticut school, the entire nation was stunned that such a horrific things could happen.

Everyone focused on the tragedy and the questions surrounding it: What kind of person would do such a thing, and why?

How can we prevent it from happening again? How can we help the survivors?

Amid the chaos, an unlikely group moved in and made a difference.

From Chicago came dogs — specially trained golden retrievers that offered nothing except affection.

Dogs don't speak; they simply offer their presence.

Children traumatized by the violence opened up to them, expressing fears and emotions they had not spoken to any adult.

Tim Hetzner of Lutheran Church Charities said, 'The biggest part of their training is just learning to be quiet.'

As we learn from the book of Job, Job 2:3-13, people in grief do not always need words.

Sometimes they need someone to sit silently with them, to listen when they need to speak, and to bug them when their sorrow turns to sobs.

God may not intervene to change circumstances and He may not explain suffering, but He comforts us through the presence of other believers" Col. 4:8. Julie Ackerman Link

"He's with us in the valley,

Amid the darkest night

He tells us in our sorrow;

Faith will give way to sight." — D. DeHaan

Listening may be the most loving

and Christlike thing you do today."

Our Daily Bread

12/26/2013

Let’s pray:

Father, we realize that our prayers do make a big difference for others in their dire needs.

May I cultivate the ability to stand with them with my prayers, but also to be present with them, when I"m needed.

Give me the grace that is necessary in such times.

I want to be the most effective, so I'll need Your guidance, timing, and plan. I ask this in Jesus' Name, Amen.

(Google images added)

Today’s Bible verse: Lam. 3:24 "The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; Therefore I will hope in him."

Today’s quotes: David McCasland – “The songs that
mean the most to us give expression to our deepest
feelings. Many of the Psalms, often called ‘the Bible’s
songbook,’ were born out of struggle. They capture our
disappointments and fears, yet they always point us
toward the faithful love of God.”

Our Daily Bread –

“God’s hand that holds the ocean’s depths

Can hold my small affairs;

His hand that guides the universe

Can carry all my cares. –Anon

Our work is to cast care;

God’s work is to take care!

Some thoughts today: Jesus, the King, robes us with salvation. He laid His life down for us.

- We need to realize our worth in Jesus, and that He delights in our coming to Him with our needs.

- God uses humble messengers. Why not here? Why not now? Why not us?

16th- Sunday’s post: Mournful to Hopeful Max Lucado

18th- Tuesday's post: #63 1-2 Intercessors C.Peter Wagner