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Being enveloped in a community of faithful solidarity buoyed our spirits in a supernatural way and added new layers of depth to the experience. It brings to mind the words of John Paul II in The Gospel of Life: "Even pain and suffering have meaning and value when they are experienced in close connection with love received and given."

It looks like Holly will graduate with her high school class this month. Is she the same person she was on January 28? I don't think so. I think she's a better person. I think we are all better people. The harrowing that we received broke up the soil in our family, and in turn, new life has begun to take root.

Copyright © 2006 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

David P. Gushee is Graves Professor of Moral Philosophy at Union University. His books include Only Human: Christian Reflections on the Journey Toward Wholeness, Getting Marriage Right, and he is coauthor of Kingdom Ethics Following Jesus in a Contemporary Context. His columns for Christianity Today include:

The Truth About Deceit | Most lies are pitiful attempts to protect our pride. (March 20, 2006)

Our Missing Moral Compass | Christianity is more than an event, an experience, or a set of beliefs. (Nov. 14, 2005)

Bill's Big Career Move | How do we make important family decisions? (Jan. 10, 2006)

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May 2006, Vol. 50, No. 5