“And they sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great.”
Walk softly around a broken heart. Better yet, sit down and savor the silence, one with another. “The sound of silence?” you may ask. What does silence sound like?
Ask Job. In a brief time span the man lost most of what he held dear. Grief swallowed him. His wife belittled him. Boils covered him. And Job sat…
Three of his friends came to comfort him. From afar Job was barely recognizable. The man who once had it all – now reduced to heap of suffering upon the ground. His friends, overcome with grief themselves at seeing Job in such condition, wept and tore their robes. What they do next is the zenith of their friendship – they ground sit with him. Zenith’s definition, “a high point, a success.” Yes, Job’s comrades pole vaulted high by sitting with him in his low place. Silently I might add.
The sound of silence for Job echoed love, grace, compassion, mercy. No words needed. A blanket warming their hearts on this dark night of the soul.
Oh to be a ground sitting kind of friend. How often I’ve failed the hurting by offering advice, cause and effects, if/then principles, or reciting Scripture. Until I needed someone to love me with silence, I never appreciated the art of silently laying low, of embracing without words or touch.
Please remind me when words sting but silence soothes.
When an embrace needs no touch.
When quiet unity binds our hearts in love.
*Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.com #Pat138241
This is simply beautiful! And truth❤️❤️
Sitting low on the ground with a friend in silence – powerful image, powerful reality. You nailed this word with God’s healing Word of silence, His faithful Presence always, regardless of our situations. Relationship and comradery—standing, walking it out, fighting, or sitting—journeying beside you, friend!