Many years ago, just a few days after my daughter died of cancer I learnt a precious life lesson.
The Johannesburg General’s staff asked me to visit the mommy of a young cancer patient.
The prognosis was not good and the young mother was heartbroken.
I travelled to the hospital to give support to a lady whom I had never met before. The meeting took place more than 25 years ago, yet, the picture in my mind is still crystal clear.
A young 18-month-old boy lay in bed, with his mommy sitting next to the bed. I touched the woman gently on her shoulder so not to startle her. She looked up and asked, “Pastor Mes?”
I nodded. She stood up without saying a word and held me tightly.
We both wept, my pain from my daughter who had just died and her pain with her son. 20 maybe 30 minutes passed before she released me. My shirt was wet with her tears and her hair was soaked by my tears.
That was when I learnt a great life lesson. She looked at me and said, “Thank you, Pastor for coming. I feel so much better now.”
I turned around and walked away.
People draw strength not from our advice but from the knowledge that we have been down that same path. Since that day God has allowed my wife and I to assist many people who travel down an impossible route in our own quiet way.
God turned our pain into others’ gain.
If you have gone through hell, God can use you to bring hope to hurting hearts.
Amen.
