I have things I say often. Like when Jesus is ascending and says to the disciples, “I’m with you always, even to the end of the age.”

I say that most often when I’m with people who need to know that God is with them. Whether or not it’s felt. I don’t persuade, I don’t scold. I simply remind us both of the promise of Jesus.

The other day, I was standing with a person in pain. We were conversing. I spoke of that promise.

He said, “My wife’s heart stopped.”

Clearly, it had started again. She was standing next to me, looking at him, laying in the bed.

Together they told me the story, the way people who have been together for a long time tell stories. Two perspectives, half to me, half to each other.

I just let them talk, knowing that there was a reason the story was important.

“Her heart stopped. All these people came rushing into the room. I got out of the way. And I heard, ‘I’m with you.’”

In the crisis, the presence.

But, of course, in the non-crisis, too. In this present moment, with three people talking, one says what he always says, another is reminded of a fulfilled once and regularly promise.

I offer the story to you, too.

Have a weekend.