The Tenderest Mercies

Sometimes, life can be very challenging. We can face periods when everything seems to go wrong: death takes a loved one away, a nightmare can become a reality, or we might loose something we value. Disaster is a part of being alive. Luckily, we never have to face these situations alone.

Lately, everything in my life has been going along just great. Oh, sure, I haven't finished my thesis like I wanted to or completed some projects; but, on the whole, I have nothing to complain about. I have money in the bank, great friends, a loving family, and I am even (kinda) dating again. So why this post?

Tonight I was puttering around Facebook long after I should have gone to bed, and a friend of mine sent me a simple message. She said, "Thanks for playing the Facebook games with me." She'd lately joined one or two games I play, and so we've been helping each other out. I thought nothing of the actions--I help lots of people in those dorky games--so I just told her that it was no problem. This opening sprung into a two hour conversation that was very powerful.

I've not really spoken to this friend, except in passing, since high school (so more than five years ago). Her life is a mystery to me, and when the conversation began I had no real emotional investment in it. Sure, it's nice to say hi to someone, but what do you really say beyond that? I've never been very good at conversations with people I don't know intimately, so I felt like a fish out of water. But, what I quickly discovered was that my simple gaming and just being online late at night were very helpful to my friend. She is currently going through a very difficult time in her life--what I refer to as a Hell Year. Right now, she's feeling utterly alone and lost, because the situation in her life is so out of her control. But, I was able to be there for her. Because of the difficulties I have had in my own life, I was in a position where I could offer her advice and comfort; things I hope help her.

I guess what I am trying to say is that, for once, I got to be the person through whom the Lord exercised a tender mercy. Sometimes just knowing someone is there to listen can be more powerful than anything else. Even in the midnight of despair, we're never alone, because God is always listening. And, when God listens, He sends us the people we need, however imperfect a friend they may be.