Good morning…
The Henri Nouwen meditation from 2.9.16 teaches us the tangible meaning of one eleven-letter word. Nouwen writes: “Consolation is a beautiful word. It means “to be” (con-) “with the lonely one” (solus). To offer consolation is one of the most important ways to care. Life is so full of pain, sadness, and loneliness that we often wonder what we can do to alleviate the immense suffering we see. We can and must offer consolation. We can and must console the mother who lost her child, the young person with AIDS, the family whose house burned down, the soldier who was wounded, the teenager who contemplates suicide, the old man who wonders why he should stay alive. To console does not mean to take away the pain but rather to be there and say, “You are not alone, I am with you. Together we can carry the burden. Don’t be afraid. I am here.” That is consolation. We all need to give it as well as to receive it.”
Our tender voices are designed to echo the comforting voice of God.
“You are not alone.”
“I am with you.”
“Together we can carry the burden.”
“Don’t be afraid.”
“I am here.”
Do not fear [anything], for I am with you;
Do not be afraid, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you;
I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand[a hand of justice, of power, of victory, of salvation].’Isaiah 41:10 (AMP),
Sue
