My friend Julie was sick with a chronic, mysterious affliction that had her living on liquid protein and pain medications. As her weight dropped, our conversations nearly always centered on symptoms and my suggestions: "maybe you should try this -- or this-- or this..."

After a while, I had nothing to say; I couldn't pray anymore. Julie wasn't healed, and she wasn't getting better. I wanted to avoid her because I couldn't find a remedy for her illness. Then one day, while reading about the king who said, "I was sick, and ye visited me," I saw with new eyes what the Lord expected of me. The king didn't say, "I was sick and you healed me," or "I was sick and you gave me all the right answers to fix the situation." The king said, "You visited me."

How marverolously simple! I realized that what my friend needed was my care. By caring about those who are sick -- giving of our time, not solutions -- we touch the heart of God. Ministering to those who are sick is not about our ability to solve problems or offer advice. It's about letting people know that they are not alone. It's about showing God cares for them, and so do we.