When Jesus was born in a stable at Bethlehem the shepherds came and worshipped Him, and  the star of wonder guided wise men to bring gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the newborn King. But when Jesus gave His life on the cross for mankind’s sin, all but a few ran away from the suffering Savior.  In spite of  intense emotional pain, Mary, the mother of Jesus, and John, the beloved disciple, chose to come near Jesus, as He suffered on the cross. When they came close to Jesus’ pain, Mary and John received a special blessing from the Lord, as He gave them care, love, and instruction about His plan for their future together. Through experience in my different roles as mother, counselor, sister, and friend, I have discovered that if I do not surrender  to my human tendency to run away from the pain of others, if I choose to stay and feel the pain with them, a blessing will follow. This blessing may be a growing emotional closeness or connection, developing more trust and faith in God, a bigger heart of love, healing, or spiritual enlightenment. But most important, when we choose to come close to others pain, we will receive a preordained encounter with God and the blessing of our Lord’s compassion and love.

“By the cross of Jesus stood His mother. So Jesus, seeing His mother and the disciple whom He loved standing near, said to His mother, ‘[Dear] woman, see, [here is] your son! ‘Then He said to the disciple, ‘See [here is] your mother!’ And from that hour, the disciple took her into his own [keeping, own home]” (John 19: 25a,26).