Hurts, hugs, and hellos.

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In my short 23 years, I’ve realized that I’m a person who people often approach with their problems. I don’t say this to boast or complain, but I state it as the truth. I count it a privilege. I love talking through issues with others and hopefully helping them even if it’s just a little bit. Frankly, they are so many times I fear that I’m giving the wrong advice. Sometimes I feel inadequate, or too young, or too inexperienced. These fears usually try to move in when I believe the issue presented in front of me is just too enormous. That I will not have the right words to say, at the right time, with the right attitude, and the right spirit. That I won’t allow the Holy Spirit to lead me and I’ll say something stupid.

However, it’s when I’m facing these “huge” problems that the Lord has clearly taught me the meaning of letting go. I can’t fix everything. And trust me, I want to. That’s my personality. I want to fix people, fix their problem, situations, and so on. But I am neither capable of doing that nor does God allow me. He wants me to give it to Him, because only He can fix. So in those moments, I’ve learned the importance of good hugs and a simple hello. There are times I don’t have the words to say to a friend, I can’t recall a Bible verse, and the wisdom that I have seems spent.

In these times, I have learned that sometimes people just need you to meet them where they are. They’re not looking for wise words and grand speeches. They want a hug. I’m serious. They need a small embrace that says, “Hey, I don’t have all the answers. I will never have all the answers, but I’m here.”

A simple touch that reminds people in this world of self reliance and self ambitions that we are not afraid to brush and listen to each other. That’s where the “hello” comes in. You check on people. You’re not expected say the right things, you’re just there to say “Hey, I’m concerned and I’m a listening ear.”

In life, we’ll venture through dark times, but if we learn to listen and embrace each other, we’ll survive. We will have hope and know that even though they are trials, we are not alone.