Forsaken

In both the gospel of Mark and of Matthew, one finds included in the description of Jesus' death a particular phrase said by Jesus from the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me."

Have you sever felt forsaken by God? It's impossible for me to imagine the emotions doing battle inside of Jesus during his death. I realize this line is the beginning of a Psalm, but I think it is very human of Jesus to feel forsaken during this horrible time of pain.

There is a gentleman in Charleston who travels around to different offices selling ties from New York. He came by the office yesterday for the first time this year. Having not seen him since last summer, I was struck by how ill he looked. A friend or a member of his family was hospitalized, and he was very upset about it. Before he left, he asked JtM and me to pray for his friend, Judy.

He said that God doesn't listen to his prayers. I wish I had been able to reassure him that that was not the case. I believe that God does hear his prayers. I believe that God is forever standing with this gentleman, listening and loving.

I wonder if I was supposed to tell him that? I wonder if God sent him by our way on Thursday for reassurance that I failed to provide? I don't know; I'll never know.

But say a prayer for Judy.