When bad things happen
Written by Jen Friday, 27 June 2008 00:00
Blog
A friend of mine asked me this very question tonight, and of course I have no original insight to ease her pain. Instead, I borrow the best-or at least the most soothing-explanation I've heard from the writings of Pope John Paul II. (Unfortunately, I can't recall the exact piece, but it may have been from Gift and Mystery.) To paraphrase, tragedies create holes or openings in the universe which can be filled by goodness. Every painful struggle is an opportunity for compassion and mercy. It's really the story of salvation, repeated over and over again in the drama of everyday life.
This is what I tell my children when something unfathomable happens, and what I hope to remember the next time I'm faced with what seems an insurmountable struggle. If you have any words to comfort the weary soul, please share. Peace to you all.
