Just Show Up: The Dance of Walking through Suffering Together
Just Show Up: The Dance of Walking through Suffering Together. By Kara Tippetts and Jill Lynn Buteyn.
I finished this book a couple of days ago. Yes, you should read it too. Here are some of my thoughts pulled from the book.
The constant in life is pain and suffering. It is multiplied if we have to or try to face it alone.
God created us for community. As much as we dislike pain and suffering, many times it opens the door to friendship. We can receive and give. We can show up for someone going through a hard time. We can receive when someone shows up for us.
But how? This book, Just Show Up, lets us look behind the curtain. We get to see how it can be done. When we have our opportunity, we will be better equipped. We will know what to say and what not to say and when to be quiet. We will see how our specific gifts will enable us to help.
From the book, I learned that to ignore someone's suffering is hurtful but to not say anything about it is wounding. Also, platitudes like "all things work together for good" or "God has a plan" are not sympathetic but hurtful and wince-worthy. That said, there is a proper way to share Scripture and encouragement.
Another thing to resist is passing along the latest cure or piece of advice. Usually the one suffering has given much thought to their course of action. We may think we are passing along one piece of information but they receive an avalanche of it.
How do you go on living when a loved one is dying? This can be a hard one.
As you read this, you may be the one suffering or you may know of someone who is. Or maybe neither is true in your life right now. Whatever your circumstance, you can learn what you need now or what you will certainly need in the future.
If you haven't read Kara's first book, The Hardest Peace, I would encourage you to read it first. Although not essential, the background helps to understand the big picture of this one.
Philip
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