Disasters and misfortunes can crush hearts and extinguish hope and joy. When our life crumbles and falls apart the whole world seems dark and joyless. Then, there is a great temptation to blame ourselves or to believe that somehow God is punishing us. But Jeremiah has a different message from God directed at the crushed and broken people of Jerusalem which is also spoken to us. God loves us with an everlasting love and will never abandon us. God does not desire misery, loss and pain for us but happiness and fullness of life. God will restore us and grant us joy once again. We need to remember this promise when we are in the midst of pain and struggle for it is then that all seems so hopeless and the temptation is so great to give up. God is with us - always - and is for us not against us.

The Canaanite woman crossed so many barriers and boundaries to approach Jesus. She was a pagan and a foreigner rather than an Israelite - and she was a woman. To approach a holy man in public was unthinkable but that is exactly what she did. She was willing to challenge culture and tradition in a bold fashion and follow her heart. She refused to be brushed aside and would not take 'no' for an answer. Jesus grants her request in recognition of her persistence and her faith. Being bold, persistent, and faith-filled will lift us from despair and overcome the many obstacles that life places in our way.