Draw Near

Draw near when you are in pain

Draw near when all seems dark 

Draw near when you feel alone

Draw near when everything seem sot fall apart 

Draw near when you are filled with worry

Draw near when you are frustrated 

Draw near when you feel anger is brimming

Do not be afraid! of your sin, or the feeling of being flawed, of your own perception of self or your failures.

Your life is NOT done!

I have a plan and a purpose. 

As the world thinks, I do not.

I am the Potter, you are the clay. 

Let Me shape you. 

Do not be afraid.

Do not distract yourself, but rather come to Me. 

I am waiting.

Trust in Me and have faith.

The mystery of suffering will always continue to challenge us make us question. Suffering can seem to take us away from a sense of ourself, the surety of our place around others and security in the present and future. Suffering can come in many forms, from physical ailments, loss of a loved one, mental suffering or spiritual suffering. Sometimes our temporal goods or loss of them, creates suffering, either because of attachment or deprivation. 

It is very easy to be philosophical about suffering, especially the suffering of others when we are dettached, unmoved, aloof or unaware of those who do suffer. In a digital world, there are people who appear to glide pleasantly through life, even when expressing hardships on their Facebook or Youtube platforms. One can easily look at the picture perfect images and stories and feel quite alone in one's own suffering. One can question, am I doing this suffering thing right? This can leave a person feeling disconnected and alone. Truth be known, it isn't okay to be imperfect or suffering in our culture. Unfortunately, this can often carry over to the people who profess to belong to Christ and follow Him. 

For the sufferer, it can increase humilty because it is an unwanted gift that can lead us to our knees, tears and utter surrender to God. It can,if not taken well; also lead to frustration, resentment and anger. Why me? It's not fair! I don't deserve this! The only answer is the encounter of Christ. He has carried it first. "My yoke is easy and my burden light"(Mt.11:28-30). Once that encounter takes place in the hidden chambers of our heart, He invites us to love. 

When I was a missionary, I frequently prayed "Lord shine through me. Let them see your kindness in my eyes. Let others recognize You in the way I move through this world. As wife, mother and counselor, I pray let others see love and acceptance in my eyes that comes from You. Embracing suffering as an encounter with Christ or at least the willingness to meet Him there, expands the capacity to love as Christ loves. "Perfect love casts out all fear" (IJn.4:18). We have the opportunity to encounter Him because we recognize Him in others. He is present in the most difficult, the poor and vulnerable. He is present in the child that challenges us, the in- laws, elderly parents, our spouse. He is present in the single alone person that sits in the back of the Church, in the elderly person struggling to open the doors to enter the Church, the restless child who is making noise during the Mass and in the socially ackward person looking for connection. (Matthew 25:31-46). 

This is where we, in compassion walk along with Christ to tend hearts. "The Church wishes to serve this single end, that each person may be able to find Christ in order that Christ may walk with each person the path of life" (Redemptoris Hominis St. John Paul II). It with compassion, meaning to suffer with, that we walk along our fellow brothers and sisters, following our Lord and engaging in worship together, recieving Jesus Christ's Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity in the Eucharist and allowing the Holy Spirit to make us acceptable gifts to the Father.