When I walk past you in the grocery story I don’t really see you. I may notice your grey hair, or I may see that you like to eat potato chips or peas. I am looking for kidney beans and I don’t pay attention to you. Your face has no expression. I don’t know if are hurting.
You may have an ulcer or high blood pressure. Your son may be in jail, or maybe your step-father is dying in a room with three other men in a rest home in Canada.
Maybe you want to see him one last time, but you can’t afford a plane ticket. Maybe you had surgery yesterday and your arm really hurts. When I see you in the grocery store I can’t tell. Your pain is hidden by your coat and your blank expression.
There is one who can see your pain. He knows where you hurt. Give Him your concerns and your pain. He will hold you up; He will sustain you.
Cast your cares on the Lord
and he will sustain you;
he will never let
the righteous be shaken.
Psalm 55:22
I wrote a letter to my step-father. I mailed the letter last week. He almost died last night. My mom and her friend sat with him until 4:00 a.m. He didn’t die, not yet. The doctor said he would probably live for two more weeks, that was ten days ago. I don’t know if my letter will get to Canada before he dies.
I will ask my Mom to whisper in his ear today, “Pamela loves you.” I was told hearing goes last. She may have to yell. He wears hearing aids. I don’t know if he is wearing them now.
Yesterday I had surgery to remove an atypical mole. The four blue plastic stitches in my arm ache. The doctor cut out a piece of skin and pulled me back together. I have been awake since 3:00 a.m.
In three hours I will drive my daughter to school. On the way home I will stop at the grocery store and buy kidney beans for the chili I am making for supper. If I walk past you in the grocery store I will pray for the hurts I can’t see. I don’t know your name, but God does.
Where does it hurt? Will you let me pray for you?
