What do you do when a loved one at home needs you, and you are far away? What do you do when someone needs comfort and you can’t physically be there? How am I supposed to focus on my mission here when I feel so helpless?
Callie GrishamRecently, it’s been hard for me, because a friend reached out to tell me about some struggles she’s experiencing. I had no idea what to say or do, since I’m serving far from home in Tahoe City, Calif. I wanted to help, but I was at a loss for words.
Telling her I’ve been there, too, didn’t seem like enough. I thought for days: “How can I deal with this problem? How can I fix this? How can I make my friend feel better?” But I don’t have the power. I felt so helpless and useless hundreds of miles away. I prayed to the God who has the power to help and heal. I prayed for guidance and the words to say.
I have been studying the Old Testament book of Nehemiah the past week and a half. I couldn’t help but think about how Nehemiah wept and mourned for people he didn’t even know, 800 miles away when Jerusalem’s city walls were torn down. Nehemiah fasted, prayed and mourned for days. I’ve been praying for my friend and for her to feel the peace and comfort only God can provide.
Just like Nehemiah waited in prayer until it was time to go to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls, I will wait until I can go home. While I wait for the time I can go and help my friend rebuild her walls, I will wait in prayer.
Prayer is a powerful thing. Pray for my friend and that she will seek God while she is struggling. Pray also for me. Pray that God will give me the words to say to help her to feel better.
Callie Grisham, a student at Midwestern State University, is serving with Go Now Missions in Tahoe City, Calif.
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