Crisis is Relative

“Please keep my Grandma in your prayers.”
I glanced at him as we walked toward the Liberal Arts building where we would go our separate ways. “Of course.  Pray for my cat too. I don’t want to put him down, but I think I have to.”
His brow wrinkled.   “My Grandma is dying and you want me to pray for your cat?”
Before I could reply, he stomped off to his last class of the day.   
I swallowed the lump in my throat.  Yes, I want you to pray for my cat.   I love him.
Later that evening he called.  “I’m sorry for earlier.   I shouldn’t have said that.   Your cat is important to you, just like my Grandma is important to me.    I will be praying."
“Thanks, but you don’t need to apologize.   My problem isn’t as big as yours.”  
“Crisis is relative.   We both are hurting and need prayers. I was wrong to disregard your pain and your request.  Of course I will pray for your cat.”
“You’ve taken too many psych classes. You sound like your professors.” I joked.
He laughed, “My professors have never offered to pray for me…but you’re my sister-in-Christ, so I’ll pray for your cat…are we good?” 
“Yeah, we’re good.”
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YEARS later that conversation plays through my head as I listen to my friend rant about the injustice she’s facing.
I want to yell at her, “my grandma is dying and you want me to pray for your cat!”
But I don’t. 
Crisis is relative.
My world may feel like it’s crashing in and I don't have time for anyone else, but my sister-in-Christ needs prayers. She needs support. 
She does NOT need me to tell her to suck it up. 
She does not need me to tell her I am facing real problems and hers are minuscule. 
As Christians we are called to bear each others burdens (Gal 6:2).
I may not think she is facing a crisis, but she genuinely does. Therefore, I will take time to listen to her.  I will pray for her.  I will point her to Scripture that will encourage her.  I will love her as I am loved by God--completely and generously.   
I hope the next time you want to scream at someone, “my grandma is dying and you want me to pray for your cat” you can remember “ crisis is relative ”.
Be there for someone and try to hold back the judgments.  Who knows, next time it could be you needing support for a “relative crisis”.