Be The Brace

[Timl1980]

I have been wanting to post this since last Tuesday night, but I wanted to make sure the sisters were okay with me using their example. They just texted me back this morning and said it was okay but that, "really, it was nothing".

 

But it wasn't nothing...not to me.

 

I arrived at the Kingdom Hall nearly as the song was starting on Tuesday evening, it had been a long day...I was worn out, feeling beat down and tired. I parked my butt in an open row  at the back of the hall, (I usually sit up front, but that row was taken and I am trying to vary where I sit now after some really sage advice from a brother).

 

To my right, sitting opposite me at the end of the row, sat an elderly sister. Her long grey hair was swept up in a messy bun, and after the prayer...she sat down and began twisting and turning her silver bible in her hands. I could tell something was wrong, but I didn't know what. She was looking straight ahead, and then all of a sudden...from behind us...a sister in her late 50's approached from behind this sister and put her hands on her shoulders, holding them there for a moment before giving this elderly sister a hug from behind.

 

The elderly sister reached up, patted her hands and arms...and then immediately broke down in tears.

 

I was stunned...I had no idea what was wrong, but man...my heart just broke on the spot. I was too far away to do anything, and I didn't want her to feel uncomfortable so I acted like I was paying attention to the meeting...but inside I wasn't...I couldn't.

 

Let me tell you something right now...you sisters must have a secret bat signal or something...because within seconds several sisters got up and surrounded her...one on either side...the one behind her...and another one two seats away...handing out tissues to everyone involved.

 

I don't know what the situation was...I didn't ask...and that isn't the point.

 

The point is...I witnessed a living breathing example of the following scripture...and just like I shared it with them...I am sharing it with all of you this morning:

 

Acts 14:22 "There they strengthened the disciples, encouraging them to remain in the faith and saying: “We must enter into the Kingdom of God through many tribulations."

 

In Greek, the word for strengthening is "epistērizō"...and it can mean to "to prop something up so it won’t collapse under weight."

 

Those sisters were the brace...that elderly sister was strengthened, she finished the meeting and made a couple of very encouraging comments that I don't think she would have made if it hadn't been for those dear sisters.

 

But what if you don't feel up to being a brace for someone else? What if you're tired...you're worn out? What if you need to be "braced"?

 

The simple truth is...we are all holding each other up...and we all have the power to be a brace...but only because Jehovah is bracing each and every single one of us!

[ChrisW]

Beautiful.  I think women do have a sensitivity that Jehovah has blessed us with.  We can be very attuned to emotions. I'm so glad you posted this.  It reminds me of our teacher Jesus.  His feelings caused him to react. To help others when they were in distress.  It shows us not only how we need to be but also gives us faith that he will not continue indefinitely watching this world go further into chaos and strife. He will act in our behalf. 

[Timl1980]

1 minute ago, ChrisW said:

It reminds me of our teacher Jesus.  His feelings caused him to react.

 

That is very true! I was just really glad to have witnessed the whole interaction...and extremely proud of the sisters in my congregation!

 

3 minutes ago, ChrisW said:

I think women do have a sensitivity that Jehovah has blessed us with.

 

I definitely agree! Thanks for reading and responding!

[Miss Bea]

I know I can see, “a feeling”, on some of our dear sister’s face. I don’t know what may be going on, and, that is fine. I make sure to give them a hug before I leave. 
Yes, and if it’s a brother, I may, “elbow” them gently, and, smile as I pass by. Generally I sort of know what is going on, and, just want them to know I care. 
When we really get to know one another, sometimes words are not necessary. 
Like the tuning fork, we share our energy. 
(Yes, I watched the 2017 graduation event, and loved it) 

[kejedo]

Many of the songs bring me (and others, I'm told) to tears. Don't know if that invites help-by- comforting (like a brace.) A sister came up to me after a meeting which talked about singleness and said her elder husb had noticed me fill up with tears. I whispered I do  not feel single. She said, "No, you are a widow." And I have sons, so I'm plural.