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By Chic Broersma

A little girl on an errand for her mother took too long in getting back.  “Why?” Mom asked.  The youngster explained she was on her way home when she met her friend who was crying because she had broken her doll.  “Oh, said her mother, then you stopped to help her fix her doll?”  “No,” replied her daughter, “I stopped to help her cry.”

The world around us is filled with little girls with broken dolls, little boys with broken trucks, young adults with broken dreams, moms and dads with broken families.  Will we take the time to listen and help them cry?

If someone starts crying in front of you, gently touch them on the shoulder, arm, a pat on the knee or a full hug.  They are standing there bawling and if you don’t reach out to connect, they WILL experience it as judgment.  Even if it’s the furthest thing from your mind, your silence will be experienced as criticism for losing control.  They will feel embarrassed and ashamed.  You don’t even have to say anything – just touch.  It will let the person know that if nothing else, they are okay with you, and it is okay for them to cry.

Help someone cry.

Photo credit: Street Photography Addict

About the author:  Chic Broersma is a retired Reformed Church in America (“RCA”) pastor and campus minister.