“Anniversaries are the worst,” Kim said as she reached across the kitchen table and took Shelley’s hand.

“Thanks for spending the day with me.” Shelley tried to smile. It had been a year since her three-year-old daughter died of a heart defect. Everyone at the support group for moms who had lost children had warned her that today would be difficult.

“I’m glad you called.” Kim moved her chair closer and wrapped her arm around Shelley. “When the one-year anniversary of losing my baby rolled around, I didn’t have anyone to call. I promised myself I’d never let a friend go through that alone.”

Shelley wiped a tear before it dripped down her cheek. “I just don’t understand. I mean, I prayed. . . .”

Kim handed Shelley a tissue. “I had a long list of questions too. Finally I realized that I might not ever understand why, but I have a faithful God who sympathizes with my pain, shares my grief, and is strong enough to handle my questions and my anger. He is also kind enough to send friends who understand this kind of heartbreak.” Shelley’s tears started to gush. God, thank You for being a Father who understands, she prayed silently.

In times of crisis or unspeakable loss, those with similar wounds are the ones who fully understand the depth of our pain. And we have a heavenly Father who loves us enough to send the exact friends we need at the moment we need them.

If you have experienced a significant loss, God can use you to help someone else through her grief as well. Pray for an opportunity to provide sympathy and support to one who desperately needs to hear, “I understand.”