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Words of affirmation and love are like bread. We need them each day, over and over. They keep us alive inside.

Consolation is a beautiful word. It means "to be with the lonely one." To console does not mean to take away the pain but rather to be there and to say, "You are not alone, I am with you. Together we can carry the burden. Don't be afraid. I am here."

There are no "if"s in the heart of God.

True joy is hidden where we are the same as other people: fragile and mortal. It is the joy of belonging to the human race. It is the joy of being with others as a friend, a companion, a fellow traveler. This is the joy of Jesus, who is Emmanuel: God-with-us.

When we forgive others, we release ourselves from the identity of "the offended one."

All human beings are alone. Each of us is unique and how we feel, how we think, and how we act. Our aloneness is the other side of our uniqueness. The question is whether we will let our aloneness become loneliness or whether we all will allow it to lead us into solitude. Loneliness is painful; solitude is peaceful. Solitude allows us to respect others in their uniqueness and create community.