IF I HAD KNOWN

If I had known what trouble you were bearing;
What griefs were in the silence of your face;
I would have been more gentle, and more caring,
And tried to give you gladness for a space.
I would have brought more warmth into the place,
If I had known.

If I had known what thoughts despairing drew you;
(Why do we never try to understand?)
I would have lent a little friendship to you,
And slipped my hand within your hand,
And made your stay more pleasant in the land,
If I had known.

Mary Carolyn Davies

Does this poem touch your heart as it does mine?
Sometimes we can be insensitive and hard toward people
when we should be kind, gentle, and considerate.
The words of Paul come to mind:
"Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep" (Romans 12:15).

Again, "If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it" (1 Corinthians 12:26a).

Although these verses refer to the Christian's relationship with his fellow brothers and sisters in the family of God,
we should also seek to be interested in the needs and concerns of others who are undergoing sickness,
loss, perplexities, and difficulties in life. Let us seek to be healers of broken hearts. . . .

Richard Hollerman