None of us is immune to grief, suffering, and troubles…for they are just part of this journey we call life.  But it’s good to reflect on the attributes of the Lord spoken of in this Scripture today.  God’s love for us is everlasting and unconditional…for there is nothing in and of ourselves we can do to obtain this love…it is a free gift given by grace not our works.  But also there is nothing so terrible we can ever do that this love can’t reach us.  Mercy and kindness are central to God’s character, and it’s out of this great love for us that we can find forgiveness of sins and eternal life.