"The friend who can be silent with us in a moment of despair or confusion, who can stay with us in an hour of grief and bereavement, who can tolerate not knowing... not healing, not curing... that is a friend who cares." (Henri Nouwen)

To have such a friend is a blessing. But doesn't God do this for us in those times? Even though he is silent, that doesn't mean he is not there. It is his steadfast presence that sustains us more than anything else.  This was true for Jesus on the cross. In the midst of his pain and suffering for our sake, Jesus was sustained by the invisible presence of his loving Father. In faith, he knew this and in faith he embraced it.

We are never completely alone. We are always in the presence of our loving Father who gives us the needed grace for the moment. Believe and embrace.