I subscribe to a newsletter from the School for Contemplative Living. The Director William Thiele wrote an amazing article. I wanted to share with you all because I thought it was very pertinent for us at this time of our church. His article was entitled “The Power of Presence.” He had this quote from Winnie the Pooh:

“Today was a Difficult Day,” said Pooh.

There was a pause. “Do you want to talk about it?” asked Piglet.

“No,” said Pooh after a bit. “No, I don’t think I do.”

“That’s okay,” said Piglet, and he came and sat beside his friend.

“What are you doing?” asked Pooh.

“Nothing, really,” said Piglet. “Only, I know what Difficult Days are like. I quite often don’t feel like talking about it on my Difficult Days either.

“But goodness,” continued Piglet, “Difficult Days are so much easier when you know you’ve got someonethere for you. And I’ll always be here for you, Pooh.”

And as Pooh sat there, working through in his head his Difficult Day, the solid, reliable Piglet sat next to him quietly swinging his little legs. He thought that his best friend had never been more right. Sometimes, all you need is someone to sit next to you.

This made me think of how “CHURCH” used to be before we had a “committee” to do the work of Congregational Care or before we “assigned” the Pastor to do all the pastoral care. There is something very special about being a “Piglet” for someone…..to be able to sit with someone when they are having one of those very ‘Difficult Days!’ It’s funny, we think the Pastor has all the answers and needs to be the one to do the visiting, but actually (AND speaking as a Pastor), it’s NOT about having answers, but it’s about sitting, it’s about just letting someone know you are PRESENT. It’s your PRESENCE that matters more than your conversation!

Checking on someone who has missed church by sending a text, a card, or even a phone call is another valuable way to let someone know they matter and are missed. Believe it or not, it’s NOT the Pastor’s contact that matters most – after all, aren’t they SUPPOSED to…isn’t it their JOB? But when someone from the congregation reaches out, it’s very personal and special. Yes, now we DO enjoy hearing from our Pastor, but when one of the “body of Christ” reaches out to find out why we are not at church, now that is an understanding “Piglet.”

May the Presence of Christ be shining through all of us “Piglets”!!! God bless you…

Shalom,

Judy Shepherd