God WITH us, even in our pain

“In a futile attempt to erase our past, we deprive the community of our healing gift. If we conceal our wounds out of fear and shame, our inner darkness can neither be illuminated nor become a light for others.”  ― Brennan Manning, Abba's Child: The Cry of the Heart for Intimate Belonging   If God’s very name, Emmanuel, means He is with us, does that mean that He’s with us, even in our painful places? I would say a strong, YES! His ‘with-ness’ is not determined by us being good or dependent on how we're feeling. And this, my friends is good news! Join me in this conversation around Him being with us, even in our painful places.