A slave named Androcles once escaped from his master and fled to the forest. As he was wandering about there he came upon a Lion lying down moaning and groaning. At first he turned to flee, but finding that the Lion did not pursue him, he turned back and went up to him. As he came near, the Lion put out his paw, which was all swollen and bleeding, and Androcles found that a huge thorn had got into it, and was causing all the pain. He pulled out the thorn and bound up the paw of the Lion, who was soon able to rise and lick the hand of Androcles like a dog. Then the Lion took Androcles to his cave, and every day used to bring him meat from which to live. But shortly afterwards both Androcles and the Lion were captured, and the slave was sentenced to be thrown to the Lion, after the latter had been kept without food for several days. The Emperor and all his Court came to see the spectacle, and Androcles was led out into the middle of the arena. Soon the Lion was let loose from his den, and rushed bounding and roaring towards his victim. But as soon as he came near to Androcles he recognized his friend, and fawned upon him, and licked his hands like a friendly dog. The Emperor, surprised at this, summoned Androcles to him, who told him the whole story. Whereupon the slave was pardoned and freed, and the Lion let loose to his native forest. Gratitude is the sign of noble souls.

Why do You stand afar off, O LORD? Why do You hide Yourself in times of trouble?

Have you ever been in that place? It’s okay to be in that place, it’s not okay to stop talking to God about it. The times we feel furthest from God are the times we need to spend time telling God how far away we feel. Sometimes we forget how amazing it is that we get to live in a communal relationship with the creator, the lover, the redeemer, and the ruler of all. I get to spend time with God; when I feel far from God its okay to mourn the emptiness we experience.

Whenever I’m away from my family for a week or so I can go about 36 hours without somehow letting them now that I miss them. Sometimes I just sit on the phone or in front of a webcam and listen to them breath or watch them type. When we are far apart it troubles my soul and I tell them and it makes all of us feel a little better for a while. The same is true when we are far from God.

The LORD is King forever and ever; Nations have perished from His land. O LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their heart