Jimbo's Jots

One of my favorite songs to play and sing is “When You Say Nothing At All.” It’s a country song written by Paul Overstreet and Don Schlitz. Keith Whitley and Alison Krauss both took it to top ten status on Billboard’s country music.

The song’s message is how love is seen in a relationship between two people when sometimes words are not adequate. This is the chorus of the song:

The smile on your face let’s me know that you need me
There’s a truth in your eyes saying you’ll never leave me
A touch of your hand says you’ll catch me if ever I fall
Now you say it best when you say nothing at all

Recently, I’ve been part of several discussions in facebook groups in which a minister friend is struggling with the death of a church member, or a teen in their community. Many times, we often find ourselves trying to find the right words to share with someone in a time of crisis. We do! We just do not feel like we can say anything that will benefit the situation.

Just a few weeks ago, I, with other youth pastors, sat with two youth pastors who had just received word that one of the students in their ministry died suddenly. For some of the time, we just sat there in silence. We then prayed for that family, that church and those pastors.

And when words just don’t seem adequate, presence is far better than words anyway. Even though the song is a love song, it shares a message that our presence in someone’s life is just as vital and encouraging. It’s that touch of a hand when the doctor says, “It is cancer.” It’s that arm over the shoulder when you feel that you’ve reached your edge that communicates that you are not alone.

Even the Psalmist sings this message of presence, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil for YOU are with me.” Jesus adds, “I am with you always.”

Words are good! But presence is better! So as you reach out to those who are hurting, just be present! Live in the confidence that when you are hurting and feeling alone, God has given you the assurance of His presence in your life . . . and sometimes says nothing at all.

Be blessed and be a blessing!