I tried to think of some words that would bring him comfort. “I’m so sorry.” “This is so unfair.” “What was she doing out driving on the icy roads?” Nothing I could think of seemed appropriate.

I felt completely unprepared and unqualified for what I was about to face. A young mother from our church had just died in a tragic auto accident. And I was heading to our local hospital to console her husband. I was a young pastor and I had never faced anything like this before. I felt terrified as I made the short drive from our home to the hospital.

The nurse directed me down the hall. She mentioned that he was waiting to see her body while the staff was preparing it. I could see him sitting alone at the end of the hallway with his head in his hands.

As I approached him, he stood and hugged me. Giant sobs gushed out. I don’t remember saying anything at all. We stood there while he cried.

Since this happened nearly forty years ago, I don’t remember all the details. But I do remember being surprised at what took place. While we sat and waited, he poured out the memories of his life with her. His mind drifted back to the key events of their lives together and he described them in loving detail. My job was simply to listen.

I learned a key lesson that day about the importance of simply listening. No words of wisdom. No scriptures. No platitudes.

Sacred job…being a Pastor. 

As founding Pastor of The Bridge Community Church and Executive Director of Mo Hodge Ministries, Mo resources Pastors and Leaders in the area of leadership development. He enables Pastors and leaders in the following areas: Developing Teams, Church Growth, Church Planting, Discipleship Multiplication, Nonprofit Organizational Management, Multi-site Church Development, Public Speaking, Capital Campaigns, and Sr. Pastor Succession. … Mo and his wife, Nancy, live in Anderson, IN with their children and grandchildren. Though retired, Mo is still active in ministry, preaching, teaching, and planting new churches wherever the Lord leads. You can follow him on LinkedIn or through his Newsletter. 

Feature Photo by Nathan Cowley on Pixels