S06 Episode 4: How to Accompany Someone Through A Hard Season

How to Accompany Someone Through A Hard Season

In this episode we talk about how to journey with each other through hardships and offer the powerful gift of presence. Walking through suffering with each other is sacred ground, so we need to learn how to become a compassionate presence and honor the vulnerability in others, while also being vulnerable ourselves. We talk about how to discern what we are able to offer to others and how we need to ask the Holy Spirit how to respond instead of falling into codependency or taking on the problems of others.

Sister Miriam’s one thing - The Homesick Candle Heather sent to me

Michelle’s one thing - A new St. Therese shirt design “I Choose All” and story card from Michelle’s Meaningful Market store. It comes out on St. Therese’s feast day October 1. Enjoy 15% off with code - ABIDE15

Heather’s one thing - Hannah Van Noort, Heidi Bouwman, and Lisa Marquis for their work behind the scenes at our men’s retreat.

 

Extra Resources

Evangelli Gaudium Section on Accompaniment #169-173

 

Discussion questions:    

What struck you from the podcast? What does it look like to make space for each other? What is the difference between loving someone well and becoming codependent? Why is the gift of presence so healing and powerful?

 

Journal Questions:

Is there someone in your life that needs your heart and presence right now? What is a hard place in your own life that you need the presence of someone close to you? How can you ask them for that? Are there relationships where you are trying to be the savior instead of letting Jesus be Savior.

 

Quote to Ponder - “I am struck by how sharing our weakness and difficulties is more nourishing to others than sharing our qualities and successes.” - Jean Vanier

Scripture for Lectio Divina -  2 Corinthians 9-10 “but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.”