Casey wasn't the most popular dog in her owner Carol Baird's neighborhood. She had a heart of gold but a nose for trouble. So when a man rapped on Carol's door, said he lived three blocks away and then asked for her dog's name, Carol braced herself.

Fred was in serious trouble. He had cancer and kidney disease, was taking 12 different medicines a day on various prescriptions, suffered near sleeplessness and acknowledged he was suicidal. He called us in crisis.

We all have secret pain. We all have brokenness. We all have wounds that do not fully heal despite all the salve we put on them. The truth is that no matter our circumstances in life, there is still heartache and pain.

The Rev. Michael Lapsley barely survived a letter bomb attack by agents of the South African apartheid government who sought to kill him. The bomb exploded in his hands. In the wake of the recent Boston bombings, he reflects on his own experience of physical and psychological healing.

When violence strikes, God wants to comfort us and help us heal. I believe that God wants us to help each other heal.

At moments like this, we like to see the helpers. It is affirming and heart-warming to see the altruism of others and to see how individuals and communities stand together. We must not forget the positives, even as we face tragedy.

Jesus came to rescue the broken ones, the downcast and the hurting ones. He came to rescue you and me. With many of us battling for the title of chief, we are all in desperate need of forgiveness and healing.