Psalm 34:17-18, NIV: The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Words often elude us. They are hard to find, and sometimes hard to say. The right words, the perfect words, seem so far away. Where and how do we find the words they need to hear--they who have suffered great loss, or hardship, or grief--what do we say to them? Or do we remain silent, and simply lend and ear? We want to help them in their time of need, right? Where do we look for guidance? We should not look within ourselves alone. We often say clumsy things when we think we must say something. We sometimes lose sight of the heart of the one who is broken if we worry more about our personal need to feel we have done the right thing. We know the One--the Comforter--the One who knows the heart, then pains, and the needs of the one who is broken. Perhaps we could love the broken as He does. We could sit with the broken and pray within ourselves for them. We could trust God for the words to say. And in the mean time--we could simply be there--loving the broken without a word.