I've been reading "Signature of Jesus" - Brennan Manning; last night I read a bit about how Jesus seems to be there at the wrong times- I guess the author was saying Jesus is never there when you really need him to be right there, he is silent when you want lots of wisdom and guidance from him- the easy out!
I was thinking he might be giving that impression so that we grow up as his followers. We believe he's there somewhere, we just can't feel him through the pain or confusion of the moment... it's unsettling when God is quiet! That means I'm supposed to make the RIGHT decision, all on my own! Oh, the pressure!

Part of the pain I've had in the past is having neighborhood kids vandalise my property, virtually take it over as their own, so I can feel what Ken was talking about, in that. It was very disquieting to me not to be able to grow a garden in my own yard, not to be able to erect a picket fence, and try as I might to ease my pain with knowledge that these kids destroy things when they feel the need for something different in life than what they've been given, it still hurt. It still made me hate living in the tough area I lived in.

I was sure that it only happened in high-strife areas, but I was very surprised when talking with Taos pueblo Native Americans to find that they too had vandalism among their young. Somehow, I was going at this thinking that the pueblo culture wouldn't have that problem, since they de-emphasize materialism, and they're so close-knit a community. But the oppression and poverty and substance abuse that are rampant in the place make it a breeding ground for vandalism, just like we see in the inner cities.

I'm glad that someone finally stated that some hurts may always be with us. I think that's true; I suspect we'll carry some hurts to our graves.
-cer