Rhonnie Scheuerman’s Inspiration Station For All In Need This Morning

An Understanding Heart by Carol Kuyhendall

I HUG my friend Lois when she opens her front door. “How are you today?” I ask realizing how powerful her honest answer could be.  Lois has inoperable lung cancer. “I’m okay , she smiles but her shoulders feel thin to me.  I visit her often these days, to bring a basket of fresh peaches, a bunch of helium balloons, or a new prescription of pills. Today I’ve come to help her plan her forty-third  birthday party.  Though she doesn’t like big-deal celebrations, she agreed to a small gathering of family and friends.  But as we sit together at her kitchen table and paper in hand, our conversation  wanders away from party  planning and cake flavors.  We talk about planning the future. “I don’t know how to plan an uncertain future. ….she confesses, and then she is crying.  My heart aches.  Ever since I learned about the cancer, I have  prayed not only for her miraculous healing, but that we, her friends would be able to meet her needs.  Sometimes, like right now, I feel so helpless and inadequate. l  What can I do or say to ease her hurt.”

“Lois I I almost plead, “if our roles were reversed- If you were me- what would you say right now.”

“Nothing” I almost plead, ” if we were miles apart what would you say right now ? ”

“Nothing,” she answers quietly. “.  “I’d just listen. And there in her simple response is my answer.

As a friend, I can’t  heal or change this painful situation,

but I can listen with ears that open into my heart.