This bird flew into a window on our second floor and dropped to the patio below. After trying to fly away, it sat motionless for quite some time. It was, clearly, injured. I opened the patio door and spoke to it in an attempt to calm it. The opposite occurred…it’s breathing became more frantic. Then, it started to rain and the bird remained stuck there. I wanted to make it a little shelter from the rain by putting a cushion on the nearby chair so that it could sit under it. As soon as I took a step out of the door, the bird hopped farther away…because, of course, I had frightened it. In time, the bird found a way to hop over to a brick planter around a tree in the middle of the yard and found shelter from the rain tucked right up against the bricks. When I went out to check on it a little later, the bird was gone. Later, we saw it taking little flights on low branches nearby.

Have you ever had the experience of sharing a concern or worry with someone who, with very good intention, offered suggestions, advice or a platitude when what you really needed was a listening heart and acceptance of your feelings? I have been on both sides of this experience. When I reflect on the times I was the person who meant to be helpful by offering a solution, I realize that, in some ways, I was doing so because I was uncomfortable with watching someone I care about struggle and I wanted to “fix” the situation for them…not unlike my misguided actions with the injured bird. When I was the person on the receiving end of someone’s well-meaning advice, I felt regret for having shared my feelings, believing that the other didn’t think I could handle my difficulty or ashamed that the other may have perceived it as complaining.

During mental health awareness month, I have reflected on how God calls us to support those struggling with mental illness. What comes to mind is the need to accept ourselves and others as God’s creation. One struggling with mental illness is not flawed. For, Psalm 139 reminds us that each of us, every one of us “is fearfully and wonderfully made” and we are all loved by God, equally. So, even though it may be uncomfortable to watch a loved one who is struggling, our very presence with him/her and our acceptance of his/her experience is a great gift. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

O God, as you’ve accepted me, you call me to accept others. I will need all the grace you promise to love like that. Please help me show kindness, comfort and patience when I don’t know how to help another through difficult times. Please help me trust that you are the Great Healer and, that you are ever-present when we struggle, even if we are, in these moments, unable to see you and feel your love.