When we honestly ask ourselves which person in our lives means the most to us, we often find that it is those who, instead of giving advice, solutions, or cures, have chosen rather to share our pain and touch our wounds with a warm and tender hand. The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing, not curing, not healing and face with us the reality of our powerlessness, that is a friend who cares. — Henri J.M. Nouwen (via kari-shma)
I came across this quote on another girl's blog called I Am Blessed, (P.S. I do not necessarily 100% endorse the blogs or sites I link to) and felt like passing it on.
I can't stand it when people try to solve your problems before they listen all the way through.
...and God says, "I can't wait to hear every little detail.
Talk as long as you need to. I'll still be here."
I can't stand it when friends jump in and make a to-do list for you based on their perception of what your prioroties are.
...and God says, "Spend time in My Word and I'll help you
get refocused on My priorities."
I can't stand it when guys cannot contain their "problem-solving, damsel-in-distress rescuing" mindset.
...and God says, "Let Me walk alongside you and carry
you through."
I can't stand it when people don't cut you any slack, but demand it for themselves.
...and God says, "Cut it out. Get real with Me. Let's deal
with the excuses you keep making."
I can't stand it when friends take what you say at face value and don't realize that you're not yourself.
...and God says, "I will never leave you or forsake you
and nothing you say, do, or think will make Me love
you any less."
I can't stand it when friends pretend nothing's wrong and hope you'll snap out of it.
...and God says, "I love you too much to let you go on like
this. I'm stepping in to pull you out because you can't
even move you're so stuck."
I can't stand it when friends assume you remember all the Bible verses you've always told them and don't remind you of the verses.
...and God says, "I can't wait to show you again all the
promises that I've written to you! Open up your Bible
and let Me show you."
I can't stand it when friends say, "call me if you need to" but you know they really hope you won't.
...and God says, "I woke you up in the middle of the night
so that we could talk. I really want to spend some time
with you!"
I can't stand it when friends immediately try to relate with you and tell you all of their stories.
...and God says, "Let me hear your heart. And then let
Me show you how My heart breaks over you."
I can't stand it when friends don't give you a hug because they're afraid of getting in your space.
...and God says, "I don't care how much you try to push
Me out, I'm still going to be here.
I can't stand it when friends just say, "it'll be OK."
...and God says, "I will work things out for good. But in
the meantime here's an extra measure of My peace."
