Beethoven

Philip Yancey relays this story about Beethoven, a man not known for his social grace. Because of his deafness, he found conversation difficult and humiliating. When he heard of the death of a friend’s son, Beethoven hurried to the house, overcome with grief. He had no words of comfort to offer. But he saw a piano in the room. For the next half hour he played the piano, pouring out his emotions in the most eloquent way he could. When he finished playing, he left. The friend later remarked that no one else’s visit had meant so much.

Words are not the only way we can comfort others. Sometimes our presence is all that is needed. Or perhaps we can use a talent that God has given us to bless those who are hurting. Let’s do our best to be the kind of friend we ourselves would like to have in our time of greatest need.

“…Mourn with those who mourn.”—Romans 12:15.