Sometimes — those equally difficult times ..... when we are moved to respond to suffering as a caring friend, or as a considerate stranger .... when we, ourselves, are not (directly) on the receiving end of human tragedy, although it consumes, and burns all around us — the most faithful thing we can do is simply to keep on caring .... to be there when someone needs a hand to securely hold onto.  Sometimes, when the world appears to be collapsing around us, the most faithful thing we can do is to show love, and compassion.

 "God is the One who made for us a good world [... a secure house] and who walks with us to hold us up as we go."  Sometimes, when we feel that our unfinished house is on the verge of demolition and destruction, the most faithful thing we can do is simply step back .... and allow God to sustain us and provide all our healing.

 Be a full bucket,
 drawn up the dark way of a well,
 then lifted out,
 into the light.

 

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1. Simmons, Philip.  Learning to Fall: The Blessings of an Imperfect Life.  New York: Bantam Books, 2000.
2. Kushner, Harold S.  When Bad Things Happen to Good People.  New Your: Avon Books, 1983.
3. Chittister, Joan D.  Scarred by Struggle, Transformed by Hope.  Toronto: Noavalis, 2003.
4. ibid.
5. ibid.
6. Simmons, Philip.  Learning to Fall: The Blessings of an Imperfect Life.  New York: Bantam Books, 2000.
7. Chittister, Joan D.  Scarred by Struggle, Transformed by Hope.  Toronto: Noavalis, 2003.
8. ibid.