Ever have someone cling to your every word?

Not just because you happened to be interesting, but because they felt that you were their only hope.

It is frightening; it makes you feel helpless. They want you to give them answers that are impossible; worse, their emotional and physical state will worsen or improve depending on what you say.

Depending on your point of view, fortunately or unfortunately, I have to deal with this almost weekly. People who are dying, people who are chronically and seriously sick, people who have been driven to desperation. Tuesday hasn’t even started yet and I’ve already had a weekful of folks like this.

There are times when it gets to me. I rant and rave. Swear that I want no more. “Who do they think I am, God?”

Then there are times like this morning when I read how Jesus responded to this type of people in Luke 7:36-50. Several months ago I wrote about this encounter, trying to look at it as an observer to the actual event. This morning it struck me differently. It bothered Jesus just as much as it bothers me. He couldn’t “fix” her any more than I can “fix” those I see; but he did acknowledge her and gave her hope.

I suppose that is what I, we, are expected to do.