When Debbie arrived at the scene, a crack zigzagged across her heart. “I didn’t know how anyone could survive such a bad crash,” she thought. As they carried Mark’s stretcher to the ambulance, Debbie ran to his side and cried, “Honey, I’m here!” It's been her refrain ever since.
It is physically impossible to maintain a state of emotion (whatever it is) indefinitely. In one sense, it is natural that we don’t feel very sympathetic any longer.
Parents of chronically ill kids are the best people. They’re the best at encouraging without offering advice, at listening without trying to one-up with their own story. And they’re the best at offering empathy that comes from having walked a similar road. I could learn from these parents.
Watching long-distance, we must regularly, intentionally and actively confront ourselves with their suffering, choosing to see their pain.
