"I Grieve With Thee"
If you are a Star Trek fan (like me), you recognize this phrase. Spoken by Vulcans when a friend or well- regarded person has suffered a loss, this phrase (“I grieve with thee”) is a way of saying “I recognize your sadness and suffering. I accept it as real and painful. Because we are friends, I am willing to let you have your pain and I am willing to share your pain with you.” I wish more Christians would use this phrase or something like it when a friend or family member suffers a loss, especially a death or disabling accident or disability. If you have spent much time around “church people”, you have probably heard one or more of these phrases: “God knows best.” “We loved him, but God loved him more.” “You can have another baby.” “God moves in mysterious ways, His wonders to perform.” “Who are we to question God?” “She’s with the angels now.” Please. Why do so many of us feel the need to fill the empty space in a room by speaking words that crush the need of a wounded pers