Hello, welcome to this thing called the weekly pep talk. This is a five minute little pep talk for your brain to get you ready for the week that my mom does every single week and you'll get it right after this.

So today I have been reflecting on our New York trip and the time that Kramer and I spent together there and what I am aware of is that one of the greatest gifts of that trip.

Was really being present to each other, not being interrupted by cell phones or other people, just the two of us enjoying each other's company, having good conversations, being entertained and just being there, just being there.

You know, sometimes we forget the importance of just being present.

Oftentimes, you know, a friend will be in trouble and they'll be having a hard time and you may be hesitant to call them or better yet go be with them because you just don't know what to say.

Perhaps someone has had a catastrophe in their life or, you know, someone has died and so often we don't call and we don't go because we just don't know what to say.

And what I have to say about the head is that you don't have to worry about saying anything, just your presence is what matters, being there with someone when they're hurting.

Just your being there makes all the difference.

I know that Aunt is going to the UK next weekend just for the weekend, a very short trip, but he's going because a friend of his is really struggling right now.

And of course he could call and talk to him on the phone and they've done that, but he understands that being present with him means a very different thing.

It's a very different to be present with someone.

I know a lot of times when I've had, you know, sick friends or friends that were struggling, just go out to lunch.

You know, just go be with them, being with them versus talking to them or no, don't worry about the words.

You know, I always say that you just go and God will give you the words that used to be my prayer when I would go to see a family that was struggling with something.

You know, I just wouldn't know what to say. I would just always pray before I went in that God would give me the words.

But oftentimes there are no words, but just your being there is what makes the difference.

And that is what I am so grateful for when I'm with any one of my kids, one on one, for an extended length of time because we get to really spend time together and be together uninterrupted.

So who is it in your life that you need to be present to this week?

Who needs just your presence, just knowing that you care for them enough to be there for them?

And perhaps you're the one in need. If so, give your friends or loved ones a call and just say, I just need you to come be with me.

Just be, be with others. Be blessed. Be a blessing. Love you forever.