Highlights from the past few weeks When I first heard of the book by Rabbi Harold Kushner that deals with the issue of suffering, I thought the title was "WHY bad things happen to good people" but I learned that the title is actually "WHEN bad things happen to good people." So I do not ask God why. I understand that I do not understand the bigger picture other than God allows (and I choose that word carefully, He is not a puppet master) bad things to happen because it is part of His design. What I pray for when bad tings happen is God's grace, strength, and assistance in persevering. I place my trust in Him but not always right away. I sometimes need time to get there through a process of discernment and prayer.

As Michael has said, when he studies a particular book of the Bible, he begins to see it in his own life. Studying the Book of Job, especially with this wonderful group of people, has really shown me the truth of this. There are so many things that Job says that I can relate to. For example, in Chapter 29 when he says "Oh, that I were as in the months past! as in the days when God watched over me." God never abandons us, but at times it feels as if he has. How do we reconcile this? Job's struggles, his questions, his despair in the eyes of what he sees as the injustice of his situation have been mine at times.

The main difficulty in ministry is offering not what Job's three friends do, which is "ashy maxims," but rather really listening and facilitating honest conversations. Some thing I learned from Michael Howard is the importance of beginning with a close reading of Scripture and then facilitating a discussion where the Word of God can be applied by individuals to their experiences. In this Bible study, Michael is modeling this approach. I also learned a lot from my former principal, a Sister of Mercy, who showed me how wisdom and inspiration can be found in mantras. One that I use, and share with others, that I learned from her is "Be good, Do good, Be a power for good."

My best day is one spent engaging with people, especially spending time (a precious commodity) with family and friends; one spent reading for as long as I want.

Hi, my name is Barbara Dellanno. I am a retired Catholic school educator, who continues to seek spiritual growth and enlightenment so that I might live a fuller and holier life. I look forward to journeying with you as we study the Book of Job.