Balm in Giliad

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This passage from Jeremiah is in the lectionary for Sunday. I chose not to include it in our worship service but found myself reflecting on it this week. I try to be positive and not remain too long in places of sadness perhaps because of my fear of the tentacles of depression and despair. At the same time, if we create healthy space to hold the hard emotions, perhaps that boundary is enough to keep us from getting stuck in them and actually provides the grace we need to move forward in joy.