tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096696136024576011.post5559868604278310938..comments2024-02-28T07:57:08.325-07:00Comments on Faith, Grace, and Hope: When silence is golden (because it's not always)Pastor Juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01483149432826000955noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9096696136024576011.post-62227485116282911142008-06-06T12:39:00.000-06:002008-06-06T12:39:00.000-06:00This is so true. Julie Faith Parker told us that t...This is so true. Julie Faith Parker told us that the best thing Job's friends did for him was sit with him in silence for 7 days; they just messed it up when they started talking! <BR/>When my cousin committed suicide last June, I was very grateful for the ministry of silent presence. I was also very glad for the people who spoke up much as Job's friends did: with unhelpful cliches (the stuff we're taught never to say to grieving folks.) That was a ministry of presence, too--preferable, to me anyway, to being isolated in grief! I like the way you acknowledge this by encouraging contact with grieving people, overcoming the worry of saying something silly. <BR/>I'm sorry to hear about the suicide in your family--it is such a hard time. Blessings on your care-giving and care-receiving.Pastor Anniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00238275839833129749noreply@blogger.com