Mourn With Those Who Mourn

Who made that rule: "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn"? Oh, yeah. It was God. Specifically it was Paul, who was inspired by God to write this in a letter to the Romans. I think God had Paul write this because it does not come naturally. Mourn with those who mourn. I have a friend who is finally pregnant after a long and arduous journey. Thankfully I get to rejoice with her, but I was seriously already psyching myself up to join her in her mourning if she didn't have good news. And this is a friend. A very good friend. And I am familiar with the struggle. What about those on the fringe of our lives? Definitely harder, if not impossible. There was a time when my marriage was in shambles and I was an emotional wreck. I had a wonderful friend who called me knowing that all I could do was cry. I thank God for her and think of her often as I pray for strength to do this. I don't know if she was practicing to be a pastor's wife (we were all in seminary at the time) or just being a great friend, but I know plenty of pastor's wives and great friends who wouldn't sign up for the job.

I always thought I could at least rejoice with those who rejoice. After all, I'm all about the celebration. Bring on the party. And then I started giving bridal showers for friends when I was still single and didn't really want to be any more. And then I started giving baby showers for friends when I was desperate for a baby. And I realized I was thinking more highly of myself than I really should have. (Interestingly, Paul addressed this in the same chapter.) I'm all about rejoicing with others when I too have reason to rejoice. I can even mourn with others when I have a need to mourn. I'm pretty sure that's what they call a pity party. But to be empathetic when I am not feeling it...that takes God's mercy. Paul may not be my favorite guy to read in the Bible, but he definitely listened to God. God knew we wouldn't always be feeling it. That's why the whole chapter begins with this phrase, "In view of God's mercy." That's the only way we can be that kind of a friend.

This week I have friends who are struggling with depression, friends who are rejoicing over a long-awaited pregnancy, friends who are happily married, friends who are unhappily married, friends who are unhappily unmarried...you get the picture. God, help me to be merciful to others as you have been merciful to me.

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Romans 12:15