“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)
By Dalena Byrd
When I worked as a criminal justice court clerk, I quickly realized I was not just handling paperwork. I was standing in the middle of people’s hardest days, every day.
Every file had a story behind it. Every name represented someone carrying regret, fear, or consequences they could not undo. And if I am being honest, it would have been easy to grow distant, to protect my heart by treating everything like just another case.
But something in me would not let that happen.
I remember one person in particular who came through often. You could see it all over her. The exhaustion, the weight of poor decisions, but also something deeper, like she had stopped believing her life could ever be different. But every time I saw her, I felt a quiet pull in my spirit.
So, I slowed down. I spoke gently. I looked her in the eyes instead of past her. I tried to see her as a person, not a problem.
Over time, something began to soften. A few extra words here and there. A question. A moment of honesty. Then one day, in a quiet moment, she opened up.
She talked about how stuck she felt. How every mistake seemed to lead to another one. How it felt like no one expected anything good from her anymore, and maybe she did not either.
My heart broke for her. I did not have all the answers. I could not fix her situation. But I could offer something real. So gently, I asked if I could pray for her.
It reminded me that even in places filled with brokenness, even in systems that can feel cold, God is still reaching for people. And sometimes, he just needs someone willing to slow down, to care, and to let his love show through. And sometimes, that is all it takes to ignite a fire in someone else.
Pray
Lord, help us to remember that we are not here to change everything; rather we are here to be a light in someone’s dark moment.
Reflect
How can I slow down in today’s fast-paced world to help the people that God puts in my path?
Discuss
When have you felt God telling you to reach out for someone instead of turning your back? How did that turn out?
Dalena Byrd is the operations manager for WorkLight. She can be reached at dalena@worklight.org.