The other day I walked through our family room, spotted a book on grief, and flipped it over so I didn’t have to see the cover. It was part of my husband’s pile of books and materials in transit. These books live on the side table no-man’s land until they take up permanent residency in his office or in our home.
The other day I walked through our family room, spotted a book on grief, and flipped it over so I didn’t have to see the cover. It was part of my husband’s pile of books and materials in transit. These books live on the side table no-man’s land until they take up permanent residency in his office or in our home.
I flipped over the book because, in that moment, I was tired of hearing about grief and other sad things.
Grief and other sad things are all a big part of his life in ministry, and my life by connection. And part of my life — and I’m sure yours — by just being human and caring about other people.
We will explore how best to care for those who are suffering, and also how best to care for ourselves while we do it, in an upcoming EFC webinar on Wed. Sept. 28.
I will be interviewing two Canadians intimately familiar with suffering and caring for those who are in pain or times of deep challenge. Doug Koop is the author of Faith Today‘s Sep/Oct cover story on how to help the suffering and will be joining us from Winnipeg where he is a spiritual health practitioner. David Guretzki, a theology professor and seminary dean at Briercrest College & Seminary in Caronport, Sask., will also join us. Guretzki teaches, among other topics, “In Sickness and in Health: Biblical Perspectives on Marriage and Chronic Illness.”
I’m looking forward to this time to ask questions like: How do we best help someone going through a terrible time? What can we learn? What can we give? What doesn’t help? And…how do you help when what you really want to do is flip over the book and walk away?
I really hope you will join us. Sign up here.
Karen Stiller is a senior editor of Faith Today. Take advantage of our great 3-for-1 subscription deal to this award-winning magazine.