Oftentimes when we are grieving we don't know how to be present with our pain. We want it to go away, and in doing so we miss the opportunity to be present with ourselves and to become aware of what are our deepest needs are.
Other times, when someone is grieving our first response is to DO something, because as human being we are uncomfortable with someone else's pain. So we try in may ways to make them feel better, but in doing so we fail to acknowledge that often the only thing we can do is to be present with them in their distress - no biblical jargon or empty platitudes, just simply be with them in their pain
Mark Pierson has some great insights in what it means to be present. We can only be present with others when we learn to be present with ourselves. And that takes time, self awareness and intentionality.
Here is the quote Mark shared during our conversation:
"Wake me to your presence Lord, that I might not waste my times of trial"
Mark is lead curator/pastor of Rhythms of Grace, a "slow church" community in Auckland, New Zealand, where they practice spiritual formation and talk about the hard things in life in light of the presence of God. To find out more about Rhythms of Grace or Mark's pastoral care ministry, please email mark@markpierson.org.nz
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Light and peace,
Tatiana
