Hi AY Family,

On February 28, 2026, I began doing in-person visitations at church with those whose loved ones or they themselves are really sick internally.

     It's one thing to talk about doing in-person visitations, but it's another thing to actually do it.

     However, there is more than just doing in-person visitations with people.

     You have to make sure you connect with them outside of that time because you might be the only one who they feel comfortable around.

     There is a difference between being there with someone and being there for them.

     When you are there with someone, you have conversations with them.

     However, when you are there for someone, you check in on them and make sure that you do everything you can to support them, especially when they are in a crisis.

     The one appropriate thing that Job's friends did was that they sat with Job for an entire week while he was grieving.

     Job 2:11-13 says: “Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own place; Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite: for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him. And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice, and wept; and they rent every one his mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven. So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great.”

     If the grieving person wants to talk, that's okay, but if they do not want to talk, we should sit with them in silence while they grieve because there is nothing that you can say to them that can actually comfort them when they are grieving and going through a difficult time.

Sincerely,

Samuel Reid