Good News - Bad News

It seems that 2009 has delivered numerous bad reports. I have friends who have passed away and some have received cancer diagnosis, while many others have lost jobs and income. It seems we are all one phone call or diagnosis from life-changing events. At this point, we point to God and say, "How can a loving God let this happen?" Every time my grandson Seth comes over, he begs me to read him a certain book about a grandmother and grandson who take a trip to the Grand Canyon together. They have many strange adventures and are separated, rescued and reconnected. All through the book, the question is asked,"Is it good or is it bad?" I love the quote from Richard Wormbrand's book,In God's Underground."What we call 'bad' is often simply unfinshed good." My problems get worse when I try to define a particular event in the presence of the pain. Please don't tell anyone in the presence of pain that this is for their own good. It is NOT comforting. What is comforting?1. Hugs, Hugs, and more Hugs. 2. Sincere listening. 3. Not trying to fix the problem.4.Prayer. Ascending any mountain is difficult, but the view from the summit is exhilerating.