When you work for a church, you get to talk to a lot of hurting people.  When your church has a ministry to help people needing food or financial assistance, you really get to talk to a lot of hurting people.

The other day, I picked up the phone and talked with a lady who was needing help with her rent.  She was stressed about her financial situation.  Understandably so!  But she was more stressed out about some situations going on in her family right now.  I had the wonderful opportunity to listen to my new friend and at least make her feel like someone understood her situation.  Because I do!  This lady is going through something that I’ve already experienced.  And I think it helped her to know that someone out there understood her and felt her pain!  I told her that I would be praying for her and her family.  And I am!  They are weighing heavy on my heart…because I have been there.

After talking with my new friend, I found myself thinking that I’m kind of glad that I’ve had to go through some hard things in life.  Even if for no other reason than the chance to talk with this lady.

Nine years ago when I started working at the church, I sucked at talking with and ministering to people on the phone!  SUCKED!  I was young and not much life had happened to me yet.  But quickly, I learned that even if you can’t help someone, they just want to be heard.  They are hurting.  They just need someone to talk to.  And if you can’t do anything else for them, at least you’ve heard them out, validated their feelings and made them feel important.  

And really, isn’t that what we all want?