Favor Fridays with Tony: The Favor of Presence – When People Grieve With You, Lift You Up, and Stay by Your Side

Tyrone Tony Reed Jr.
May 2
4 min read

Updated: May 2

Welcome to today’s Favor Fridays with Tony, and what a special one it is. It’s May 2, 2025, also known as Harry Potter Day, commemorating Harry Potter's defeat of Lord Voldemort during the Battle of Hogwarts—a moment in fictional history where characters faced deep loss, unwavering loyalty, and the power of presence.

While we recognize the cultural impact of the Harry Potter stories, today we explore something even more real and sacred: The Favor of Presence—the divine gift of having people who don’t just show up for your celebrations, but who stay for your sorrow.

In life, there are moments when the pain feels unbearable, the weight too heavy, the grief too deep. On the eve of the funeral of my late cousin, that fact rings true. Yet in those seasons, God often sends a special kind of favor—not in the form of solutions, but in the form of people. People who grieve with you, sit silently beside you, pray over you, lift your chin, and remind you that giving up is not an option.

These are the people who stay when the crowds leave. They are the embodiment of “God with us” in human form.

Biblical Examples of the Favor of Presence

1. Mary, Martha, and Lazarus (John 11)

When Lazarus died, Mary and Martha grieved openly. Jesus didn’t rush to fix it first. He wept with them. He didn’t just resurrect Lazarus—He stood in their pain before the miracle.

Sometimes the greatest favor is not a quick fix—but a God who stays until we can breathe again.

2. Ruth and Naomi (Ruth 1:16-17)

After devastating loss, Ruth chose not to leave Naomi. She said, “Where you go, I will go.” She grieved with her, walked with her, and eventually helped carry her into a new season of favor.

The presence of Ruth became the bridge to Naomi’s healing.

3. Job’s Friends (Job 2:11-13)

Before they said the wrong things, Job’s friends did one holy thing—they came and sat with him in silence for seven days. No preaching. No fixing. Just presence.

Sometimes favor is just showing up and shutting up—being there, not because you have answers, but because you care.

Harry Potter Day Tie-In: Lessons from Fiction That Reflect Real Favor

The final battle at Hogwarts was a moment of loss and courage. But what made it powerful was not just magic—it was the people who chose to stay.

Hermione and Ron didn’t let Harry face his destiny alone.
Luna Lovegood, Neville Longbottom, and Ginny Weasley stood strong when it was easier to flee.
Molly Weasley grieved, fought, and protected with a mother’s love.
Even in the loss of characters like Fred, Lupin, and Tonks, the story honored their sacrifice by reminding us:

“The ones that love us never really leave us.”

This mirrors real life—where grief is often the cost of deep love, and presence is the soft hand of God keeping us steady.

Modern-Day Presence: The People Who Stay

Who are the people who:

Sit with you when you're crying and don't rush you to feel better?
Pray over you when you can't find the words?
Send that text saying, “Just checking on you.”
Drive hours just to hug you?
Bring food, clean your house, and make sure you’re drinking water when grief makes you forget?

These people are not just friends. They are favor in flesh.

They are the reason you’re still standing.They are your tribe, your circle, your angels in human form.

And let us not forget the modern-day examples of presence that have changed history. Think about people like:

Mamie Till-Mobley, who stood through unimaginable grief and refused to hide her pain, galvanizing a movement.
Michelle Obama, who lifted others by her consistent, poised presence through times of political and social upheaval.
Dr. Maya Angelou, whose calm presence and poetic wisdom sat with us in moments of pain and lifted our spirits with truth.
Taraji P. Henson, who openly discusses mental health and grief, reminding us that vulnerability is sacred and that healing often happens in community.

What Presence Produces

1. Presence Heals in Silence

Not every pain needs words. Presence alone says, “You are not alone.” It is the favor of being seen, heard, and valued in your darkest hour.

2. Presence Carries What You Can’t

When Moses grew tired, Aaron and Hur held up his arms (Exodus 17:12). Favor shows up as people who lift you when your strength runs out.

3. Presence Doesn’t Ask for Explanations

Grief is not logical. Favor is found in people who sit in the mess without needing to clean it up.

4. Presence Protects Hope

Sometimes we lose hope, but our people hold it for us until we’re ready to believe again. That’s the favor of having someone whisper, “You’re going to get through this.”

Scripture of the Day: Galatians 6:2 (MSG)

“Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law.”

Reflection Questions

Who stayed with you in your grief?
Who sat with you when you were too broken to speak?
Who helped carry your burdens when you wanted to give up?
Have you thanked them?
Are you that kind of person for someone else?
Who in your life is grieving right now and needs your silent presence more than your perfect words?

Final Word

Favor doesn’t always show up as a breakthrough.Sometimes it shows up as a person who holds your hand until the breakthrough comes.

So today, we honor the people who grieved with us, lifted us, stood beside us, and loved us through it all.

You are the reason we didn’t stay down.You are the favor that found us in our darkest hour.

And if you’re in a season of sorrow now, remember: God is sending someone. You don’t have to go through this alone.

You will rise again.Because love never leaves.And favor never fails.

Closing Word

In S.O.L.A.D.™: Soldiers of Light Against Darkness™, every battle is won not just through power, but through presence—through friends who stay, fight, and believe. Order your signed copy at www.tyronetonyreedjr.com/the-shop and be reminded that favor always finds you in the fight.

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