“Jesus did not come to explain away suffering or remove it.  He came to fill it with His Presence.”
–Paul Claudel

I have a friend who is in the hospital for three days as they try a new experimental medication for his chronic A-Fib. I won’t pretend to understand even part the ramifications of A-fib and how it affects the body, other than it affects the heart and that ain’t good.

When I think of the pain my friend is in, and the pain of others through injury, disease or loss of a loved one, it will be different now because of Claudel’s words. They are great. For me it can be hard to know what exactly to do in situations of suffering or loss. That uncertainty creates an empty space, a buffer, a barrier as I waffle on what to do. But, now I will hopefully remember to see them as opportunity to be His presence in that vacuum of emptiness. Will I know what that looks like exactly? Probably not. I must rely on Him to guide me.

May you prayerfully know when you are part of God’s “filler”.