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Hi Beth,

Your posting above captures perfectly a series of meditations sent out by the Henri Nouwen Society on empathetic caring. Those messages say "do not try to substitute your own experience for what the person suffering is doing," in other words do not try to top his story by telling one of your own. Instead, be there for that person. Sometimes you don't have to say a word, just being there and listening shows you care.

In your heart, you were an empathetic listener. I believe, but I can't prove, that when God knew your heart was stirring as well as the hearts/concern of others in this group, then God took notice and maybe God chose to alter the state of events. Otherwise, I am not sure what point there would be in God taking notice and doing nothing, except maybe to give you a gold star spiritually (like teachers giving students a gold star in school for answering a difficult question) by showing compassion for your fellow man.

Thank you, Beth, for acknowledging the inconsistency. Sometimes I wonder if I am the only member of the Merton Group who spotted that inconsistency. Now I look forward to seeing how others respond.

Mike
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