~ By Your Side ~

[Lani]

James 2:14-18
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 (NIV)


“Rachel, my mom has cancer!” I stammered, hovering over the lab table in my high-school science class. Tears streaming down my face, I was so choked up it was impossible for me to utter another word. I had promised myself I would not cry. Slowly, I felt my body melt as Rachel held me close. She did not say a word – her embrace was enough. During this difficult time many people meant well in telling our family to have faith. They quoted from scripture, but they did not console us perhaps as much as they had hoped.

Rachel let me know daily she was praying for our family. She went out of her way to keep me busy, making me go to youth group, the mall, and even skiing one weekend. Rachel’s being by my side through my mom’s illness meant more than any quoted scripture verse. And she continues to show my God’s love just by being part of my life, as a constant friend.



Prayer:Dear Father, thank you for friends whose loving presence and caring touch bring peace to troubled hearts. May we too be steady friends to those who are hurting, as we pray, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”* Amen.

* Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV)


Prayer Focus of Day:Teens with a parent who is ill
Thought for the Day:Make regular visits to someone who is ill or who lives in a nursing home.

Story shared by: K. Beckmann (OH)
Source: Upper Room Daily Devotional: 11/12/11