When a good friend is sad
     and feeling all blue.
Most of the time,
     we’re not sure what to do.
We want to be helpful
     and not cause more pain.
We’re not too sure how,
     so to help we refrain.
The problem is thinking,
     the pain we must cure.
Sometimes just listening
     will help them endure.

This problem’s not new,
     in fact it’s quite old.
Read the story of Job
     if you’re feeling that bold.
He had much more loss
     than anyone should.
His friends tried to help
     as any friend would.
They had a good start,
     as at first they just sat.
But it didn’t take long,
     to give up on that.

Their next course of action
     was some questions to ask.
To figure it all out,
     they took as their task.
There must be a reason
     for all of this loss.
He must have done something
     to offend the big “Boss”.
We know the ending
     and also the start.
The story’s much bigger,
     they only saw part.

The same may be true
     as we help a friend.
Always remember,
     you can’t see the end.
There’s things you may notice
     as they walk their road.
But you won’t see it all,
     so help carry their load.
You don’t need to solve it,
     or have the right word.
You just need to be there,
     so they know they are heard.

So how do you help them,
     the friends who are sad?
Be a good listener
     and the best friend they’ve had.
Help them remember
     the times from before.
When God has been with them,
     He’s opened the door.
And point to the future
     where God always is.
And remind them so gently,
     that they are still His.
©

Here’s another poem that came out of my prayer time for a friend. I pray that it helps each of us to remember to be the friend we would want to have.

In prayer,
Tom