There is an email support group in which I participate. We are all pastors. We all have our issues.

These pastors have shared some deeply personal and painful things in this little group. Sometimes I don’t really know what to say, so I say, “I’m praying for you.” And then when I pray, I have to trust that the Holy Spirit is interpreting the groaning of my heart.

Not once have I thought it was a waste of time or that they were being a bother.

I, on the other hand, feel like I am being a bother. I convince myself that my problems are too trivial to share with anyone.

As a general statement, one of the pastors, Melissa DeBono wrote, “Don’t apologize for taking up space in my life.  I saved that space for you.”

That is a beautiful statement.

You and I need to hear that on a regular basis.

That is friendship. That is community.

It isn’t about being able to fix anything. Some things are unfixable.

It is about being available. It’s about reminding someone that they are not alone. It’s about listening and helping someone hold on when everything is screaming to let go.

Those beautiful words are important to hear when I feel like I am being a nuisance. These are words we need to say when a friend apologizes for bothering us.

I’m glad I saw those word today.

I hope you are, too.