It’s unusual for me to get a call from my friend this early.

Or at all to be honest.

She is more of a texter.

But when I saw her name pop up on my phone screen, I took a chance that it wasn’t a pocket 

dial and answered.

Much to my surprise, I heard her voice on the other end.

And before even saying hello, she asked this question:

Did that just happen?

In an instant, I knew what she meant.

For the next few minutes, we talked about the events that unfolded in our nation’s Capitol the day before.

Disbelief, fear, sadness, horror.

So many emotions brim to the surface of our souls.

Then another call from a friend experiencing an incredible loss.

And another question.

How do you move forward when you feel so much pain?

A pain that penetrates us to our core and rocks our foundation.

On these days, I struggle with what I can offer those around me who are hurting.

So I listen, offering what Dharius Daniels calls “the ministry of presence.”

“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.  Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone?  A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.”  Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 NLT

When I cannot find the words, I can go to His Word to find comfort.

“Even before He made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in His eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into His own family by bringing us to Himself through Jesus Christ. This is what He wanted to do, and it gave Him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace He has poured out on us who belong to His dear Son.

 He is so rich in kindness and grace that He purchased our freedom with the blood of His Son and forgave our sins.  He has showered his kindness on us, along with all wisdom and understanding..” Ephesians 1: 4-8 NLT

When I cannot trust in the things of this world, I can trust in His plan.

“God has now revealed to us His mysterious will regarding Christ—which is to fulfill His own good plan. And this is the plan: At the right time He will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth. Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for He chose us in advance, and He makes everything work out according to His plan.” Ephesians 1: 9-11 NLT

There seems to be so much pain and confusion in our world right now.

Some days it may feel difficult to take the next step.

Friends, on those days remember the Creator of the Universe loved you before the world began.

That is something you can trust even when you don’t understand the plan.