Just be there…
Presence. Just be there. It sounds like a daunting task but in reality, it’s exactly what it is, to simply just be there.
I remember reading all kinds of blogs, and websites and shout outs where people say that their friends were “there for them” when they needed them most, when things got tough, their closest friends, their most meaningful friends, were there for them.
What does that mean exactly? Did they not offer advice, a shoulder to cry on, a smile to draw attention away from pain? Yes. Probably in most instances. But presence is so much more than the right words, or a shoulder, or a tissue or whatever stereotypical object signifying presence.
Presence is a beautiful thing. It connects. It relates. Presence is the personification of loving affection. The one thing that we can always do to share love is to be present.
I’m not sure but I’m pretty sure one of the greatest gifts my parents ever gave me was the gift of presence. My dad always drove my brother and I to all of our games. My mom, when she could make it, ensured that everybody else knew she was there by cheering us on. They were present for us.
And sometimes, the most amazing presence is that of a child. Who else deserves and desires to share their (and your) presence then children? Who is the most excited to see you when you first arrive? Who desires more than anyone to tell stories or share an amazing experience than children? I am blessed in my line of work to be able to be among children often. In many ways, they teach me more about presence than I could ever imagine.
One person that I definitely benefit by her presence is my goddaughter. No, I imagine she has no idea how amazing she is to me and yes I imagine she’s only going to get more coy with me if she reads this, but NP, you are a shining light in how much presence means to people if only because your presence means so much to me.
And so to Munchkin Nation, T12, and Knucklehead Zoo, thank you for your gifts to help me fulfill my mission.
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20
Jesus gives us a crazy mission. Luckily for us, He’s always there to watch us through it, sharing our trials, rising with our victories and cheering us on.
As only love could.
