The past year I have been learning about what it means to truly love another of God's children. Often I cannot solve another's problem, and sometimes I can't even find words of comfort or reassurance, for in this life sometimes there are none. I've been reading a book about a woman who has answered the call from the Lord to serve people who suffer from the effects of HIV/AIDS and her experience of turning her life in that direction even though she had never planned to do it. She tells about one experience she had visiting a leprosarium in the Phillipines, where people go to live out their remaining years as scarred outcasts who have recovered from leprosy but are maimed. She and her group had brought gifts for the residents, but the caretaker told her that while the people would appreciate the presents, the truest gift she could give them was her "presence."
I believe this is true. It seems that my truest of friends are those who are willing to sit with me in my moments of grief and sorrow and pain, offering their embrace and love. The other ways people serve each other are wonderful, such as meals, cleaning, etc. When a fellow human is willing to enter my "mire" and share my pain, cry my tears and be with me so I know I'm not alone, I feel the love of the Savior.
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