For Sophia’s Sake
// August 25th, 2009 // 9 Comments » // Uncategorized
A few weeks ago, a dear friend was found dead in her home. It has been difficult to shake the grief and to rid myself of the unanswered questions that seek to haunt me. Her memory is with me all the time like a loving presence and I have this persistent and irresistible feeling that I have to do something. I know I cannot do anything now for Sophia, but I wonder, whom can I bless for Sophia’s sake.
Sophia was a woman of great faith and strength. She lived through abuse and survived. She was a nurturer and poured into people from her huge reservoir of love. Soon after I entered into the preaching ministry in 1985, Sophia was there to support and encourage me with her prayers and words of wisdom. She had the uncanny ability to be present at moments when I needed someone most. She was present in calls and cards at some of the most difficult times in my life.
When I felt inadequate, she told me that with God I was. When I was nervous before preaching or teaching, she would tell me how amazing it is that God used me the way He did. Yet, I am amazed at the way God used Sophia. When I would get off track or wallow in anger and complain too long she would look deeply into my eyes and say, “Roderick, that’s not who you are.” Sophia could see in me what I was not able to see in myself.
Sophia was a person who took the time and made the effort to actually see people, not just to look or glance at them. She saw people. She looked into the mirror of their souls and her compassion compelled her to minister to them, to us in very loving and affirming ways.
Though I know Sophia was a woman who was often in pain, she did not allow her pain to make her bitter or withdrawn. She was very warm and loving and engaging, but I believe the pangs of loneliness never left her alone.
Perhaps her pain made her compassionate.
Perhaps the abuse, the loneliness, the depression she suffered opened up in her a passion and an insight into the pain of others.
Perhaps she could recognize in us some of what she had lived through herself.
Perhaps she did for us what she desperately wanted someone to do for her…
Every time I hear Sophia’s voice echoing or see a glimpse of her face, I remember that God used her at a crucial period in my life to protect me at times and to push me at others. While I can never repay her, I wonder, like David did of Jonathan (2 Samuel 9), whom can I bless for Sophia’s sake?
- Who is cut from the same cloth?
- Who is living with the pangs of loneliness?
- Who is suffering abuse right now?
- Who is living an under-/unappreciated life?
- Who is ministering who needs to be ministered to?
- Who must I bless who may not be able to return blessings to me?
- Who has depression robbed of the joy of living?
- Who is living in sickness and feel betrayed by their own bodies?
- Whose love has not been returned?
Whom can I bless for Sophia’s sake?
Tell me about the Sophia(s) in your life in the comment section below.
