For the past seven weeks, I’ve been journeying through the Prayer of St. Francis, one line at a time.

This week, the words that stayed with me were:

“O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console.”

And this week, I saw these words come alive.

There were moments when people I care about were hurting.

And I found myself doing something very simple:

Showing up.

Not necessarily knowing what to say or having a solution. Not being able to change what was happening – just being present.

Sometimes, that is what consolation looks like.

One of the beautiful things about community is that we don’t always know which side of the equation we’ll be on.

Today, I may be the one offering encouragement.

Tomorrow, I may be the one who needs it.

Today, I may be strong enough to hold space for someone else.

Tomorrow, I may need someone to hold space for me.

And that’s okay.

Because we were never meant to navigate life alone.

This week reminded me that consolation doesn’t always come in grand gestures. Sometimes it’s a message that says:

“I’m thinking about you.”

A phone call.

A prayer.

A hug.

A decision to rearrange your plans so you can be there.

A group of people checking in.

Someone sitting quietly beside you when there are no words that can make things better.

Sometimes, the most powerful thing we can say is simply: “I’m here.”

And something else touched me deeply this week. I watched someone who was carrying her own difficult circumstances reach out to comfort another person.

That’s what love does.

Pain doesn’t always make us turn inward.

Sometimes, it makes us more compassionate toward the pain of others.

Our own experiences can become the very thing that helps us recognize someone else’s need.

Scripture Reminds Us

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”  – Galatians 6:2

Not fix each other’s burdens.

Carry them.

There is a difference.

We cannot always change someone’s circumstances.

But we can help make the weight a little lighter and that’s one of the amazing gifts of community. We don’t have to be strong all the time. We don’t have to have all the answers.

We simply need to be willing to show up for one another.

And when we do, something beautiful happens. The person who was once being carried eventually finds the strength to carry someone else.

Comfort received becomes comfort given.

Grace received becomes grace extended.

And love keeps moving.

Reflection

Who might need your presence right now?

Is there someone you’ve been meaning to check on?

And when you are the one who needs consolation, are you willing to allow others to show up for you?

Because sometimes self-care isn’t doing something for ourselves.

Sometimes self-care is allowing ourselves to be cared for.

Today, my prayer is simple:

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console.

Help me to notice when someone needs a little extra kindness.

Give me the wisdom to know when my presence is more valuable than my words.

And when I am the one who needs comfort, give me the humility to receive it.

May I be both a giver and a receiver of love, compassion and grace.

And may I always remember:

We were not created to carry everything alone.

Amen.

Until next Saturday!

Love, Talisha ❤️