A post showed up on my Facebook feed the other day. It was posted by a friend of a friend and it said:
“If I hear “Thoughts and prayers” one more time, I’m going to scream!!!”
I don’t know what sorrows this poor woman was facing, but it was obvious that she was not receiving the support she needed. Instead, she was basically getting what has been a pet-peeve of mine for a long time, the: “quick-automatic-I-don’t-really-care-but-I-feel-I-should” answer.
We see it all the time on social media. People share their pain, their sorrows and their cries for help and they’re met with:
“Prayers.”
“Thoughts and prayers.”
“Praying.”
Have we become so busy that we can’t even be bothered to respond in complete sentences? Aren’t these speed-answers designed to make the responder feel better about themselves than to actually help the ones crying for support? And, worst of all, do people think that writing those quick words is the equivalent of actually praying?
In this amped up, speed-of-light world we live in, it seems we can’t be bothered to slow down long enough to hear a fellow human’s cry for help, much less respond with caring words (or even take the time to actually pray for them!).
“We are taking Susie to the ER, she’s been sick for a week and I’m really scared.”
“Thoughts and prayers.”
“They just told us dad only has a few months left to live.”
“Thoughts and prayers.”
“I don’t know how much more I can take.”
“Thoughts and prayers.”
Now, I’m not saying that we have to rush in and fix whatever hardships our friends are facing (because usually we can’t). But, can we at least push the pause button on our lives long enough to respond with compassion (and complete sentences)?
Using the examples above, how much better would it be if we were to say:
“Oh, no! I’m so sorry. We love your little Susie. Please know that we will be praying and we’ll check back to see how she is doing.”
“I’m so sorry to hear about your dad, he was always so kind to me. I will be praying for all of you.”
“Marsha, I know you’re going through a hard time and your strength amazes me. If you need to vent, I am here. In the meantime, I’ll be praying for you because I love you.”
It only takes a few extra seconds to reach out and truly connect with people. And, the receiver of your words will appreciate them long after you’ve taken the time to write them.
And, that is truly time well spent.
