More from Angie Gage

For my devotion I wrote about my experience as a volunteer in the women’s prison. Even today, I continue to hold space for others to share their tears and deepest prayers in my work as a healthcare chaplain. Day after day, I “sit in the ashes” with patients and family members as they process feelings of shock, disbelief, fear, and sorrow. As I offer the gifts of solidarity, empathy, and compassion, I sense the healing presence and hope of Christ in our midst. 

These moments remind me of the story of Job and how his friends met him in suffering. Job 2:13 says, “[Job’s friends] sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great” (NRSVUE). Sometimes just showing up with a nonjudgmental, compassionate presence is the most loving gift we can offer.