Can’t Fix It

In this letter, a pastor begins to truly see Laura, a member of the congregation who has Tourette’s: “I realize now that when I first met you I was confronted with my own weakness and limitation. As much as I’d like to, I can’t ‘fix’ you. When pastors can’t fix folks, it makes them feel small and dumb. It makes them want to hide. But you seemed to be used to things that can’t be fixed. So being with you has taught me how to be okay with my limitations. And how to trust God. In all your pain, you’ve never questioned God’s existence. You’re teaching me how to trust God with big things, a little bit at a time” (Mandy Smith, “Dear Laura: About Your Mental Health,” Christianity Today, December 17, 2015, https://www.christianitytoday.com/pastors/2015/december-web-exclusive/dear-laura-about-your-mental-health.html). Bearing witness to someone else’s experience without fixing it can bring encouragement to both parties.