Be Present

Attend. It is a word that is used when a student goes through Clinical Pastoral Education. It means to fully focus and be present with the one you are talking to, trying to help. You listen first. You notice the facial expression and the body language. You ask questions. You listen…really listen. And you don’t condemn or give advice or try to fix them. You support them. You encourage them. You speak back what you have heard, showing that you have listened and have empathized with them. You are fully there. And when you pray, you pray back what you have heard, asking God into the situation. In a small group Community, it is very similar. It is what we focus on today.