Please, please pray for anyone and everyone effected by the mindless tragedy that occurred. Lives have been forever altered.
Just in the past year, it seems as if these tragedies are occuring more and more frequently. Shootings, stabbings, bombings ... no one is exempt. It could happen to anyone, anywhere. And it's causing a lot of fear in the eyes and hearts of people everywhere.
This morning I was listening to SPiRiT 105.9 here in Austin and Max Lucado touched on the topic of fear. He said there are three questions people ask in the face of an event such as yesterday's bombing:
1-Who am I?
2-Is there a God?
3-Does He know me and love me?
If you can answer these positively, then you have a leg up on confidence and purpose.
Yes, there is fear. But that doesn't mean you should consume your life with it. You can't stop living - what good would that do? none. It's natural to question God when something like this happens. But God did not promise that evil would never happen. The devil has gotten into so many hearts, and so many people are angry. Instead, turn to love. Consider yourself blessed to be alive today, and look for something, anything, to do for those facing tragedy and hard decisions. God has put you exactly where you're meant to be. Don't throw that away.
Instead, look for the hope and the love in the face of tragedy. Look for the heroes.
Yesterday, there were so many heroes. Emergency crews worked nonstop to tend to the victims of this tragedy and to keep everyone safe; no one knew if it was over or if more would occur. Passersby helped complete strangers - applying pressure to bleeding wounds, staying with victims until help arrived even if only for reassurance of humanity in the face of danger, bringing wheelchairs to the fallen, assisting medical crews where necessary. The people of Boston opened up their homes to complete strangers for those that needed a place to stay and could not return home.
That's pretty awesome.
No, that's badass. God placed those people there yesterday to help, to show their selflessness in the face of absolute fear and horror.
Our nation is not new to tragedy. It's been happening for many, many years.
I cannot even begin to imagine the pain and heartbreak that each of these (and more) have cost. But in the face of all of them, there has been heroism. Whether it's physically helping victims or families, stopping the murderer, raising funds for victims' families, or praying. No gesture is too small to help.
If you want to help out in the current tragedy, the Boston Marathon bombings, please go here.
It's hard not to be afraid. Based on past events, fear is present in just about everything: going to school (whether it be elementary, high school, or college...none have been exempt), going to work, to the gym, to the movie theater with friends or family, a day at the mall, and now, running in a marathon. It's scary.
But when tragedy strikes, America strikes back. We've come back from all of these as a stronger nation. We spread love. We spread hope. We rebuild and help the victims & families back up. We do not give up.
So, if you can, hug your children a little tighter, tell your parents that you love them, send that email you've been putting off to your family you haven't seen in a while, get in the car and visit your loved ones, hang out with your friends - even a simple text to let someone know you're thinking about them. It's not hard, and it only takes a minute to let someone know you love them. Please don't take that for granted. Tomorrow is not promised to any of us. Make today count.
Today, my thoughts and prayers are especially with the victims, families, first responders, strangers and good samaritans of the Boston Marathon bombings yesterday. They are left with the aftermath of the event, of which sometimes is harder than anything else.
And since I'm requesting prayers, please also pray for humanity. Pray that those in need of mental and physical help are in a position to ask for it or to receive it. Pray for random acts of kindness. Pray for peace, and for healing. Pray for love.
Because it still hurts, not only me, but the entire nation, especially with the holidays days away...
Because it still hurts, it's discussed. It's talked about and commented on and prayed about by so many people.
Because the Newtown, Connecticut mass murder on December 14, 2012 STILL HURTS, I can't not talk about it.
It's everywhere. It's in the media. It's at work. It's brought up by family, friends, & strangers. It's mentioned in passing to that person you rode in the elevator with. It's on the news. It's online. It's everywhere - because it still hurts. And there continue to be many unanswered questions, many of which may remain unanswered forever. It's just hard to say.
But, on this subject, there have been many beautiful and glorifying tributes to the souls that were lost that day. There is so much sadness to go around, it's sometimes hard to breathe. Sadness for the 27 people whose lives were taken for some unknown reason. Sadness for the families of those victims, both young and old, whom will most likely never be able to think of and experience the holidays the same. Sadness for the survivors whom are now dealing with survivor's guilt and the trauma of witnessing such a tragedy.
I don't watch The Voice, because, let's face it, I watch way too much TV already as it is, and I love my shows dearly, which means no room for new ones. However, I heard about a tribute they did for the victims of the senseless shooting last week and looked for it. How heartwrenching and truly touching is this!
It definitely puts into perspective just how many people lost their lives that day, and just how many were young, innocent children. This also goes to show how much of a big deal the situation is. Like I said, it's everywhere. And don't get me wrong, I'm definitely not complaining! It needs to be broadcast. It needs to touch the heart and souls of people everywhere! Mass murders are a problem. And those poor families...
My heart goes out to everyone touched in some way or affected by this tragedy.
And then you read something like this article from the Global Post, about a 6 year-old-girl who survived:
'A brave six-year-old became the sole survivor of her first grade class at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. becasue she played dead as shooter Adam Lanza went on his rampage. According to a pastor close to her family, the unnamed girl lay among the bodies of her 15 classmates until she thought it was safe to leave. Pastor Jim Solomon told ABC News: "She ran out of the school building covered from head to toe with blood and the first thing she said to her mom was, 'Mommy, I'm OK but all my friends are dead."'
Just imagine what she saw in there. Whenever she thinks back on her school memories, just imagine what her thoughts are going to be about first grade. She was so brave and very smart to act as she was already deceased among the bodies of her friends. The article goes on to say that the girl's family was suffering from survivor's guilt because many of their friends were not as lucky and had lost children in the tragedy. Friendships frayed. Tensions rising. Although it is not the family's fault that their child survived and their friends' children didn't, but as a parent, how could you not be upset at them for being able to cling to their child when yours is dead? Such a terrible event, of which these families will be facing the aftermath for years and years. Read the entire article, here.
I also read in a blog I follow of something her mother told her when she was struggling with her grief of loved ones lost, unexpectedly to a tragedy:
Life on this earth is hard, and the Heavenly Father knows that. He loves us so much that He doesn't want us to stay here one single second longer than we have to. When our time is up, He takes us home. It's hard for the rest of us, but it's a gift of love and peace to those who die. Just know that as long as you have a pulse, you have a purpose. Don't take it for granted.
This will be forever burned into my soul and is such an amazing lesson to take away from such a tragedy. I pray that some questions are able to be answered and that the families affected will be able to rebuild their lives, while grieving for their loved ones. Prayer does wonders. Prayer heals. Please, pray. Pray for the families of the victims, pray for the survivors, for the children that saw something no human should ever witness. Pray for the community, that they may continue to band together and help rebuild around such a horrific event. Pray for the nation, that this tragedy does not cause spontaneous reactions that will have lifelong consequences, but that leaders will make the right decisions in assisting those affected by this tragedy and to figure out where and how to help prevent this in the future, if it's even a possibility. Pray for humankind, as a race, that we will listen to our friends and family when they reach out to us for support, help, advice, or just a shoulder to lean on - that we will take the few minutes out of our lives to listen and help in any way we can. Pray for peace - that although their loved were ripped from their lives, that the families of those lost souls will know that their loved ones are at peace with God in His kingdom. Pray for patience, as the nation grieves. Pray, because it still hurts.
Today is another sad day in American history, for lack of a better word. Hmm...here are a few more: senseless, stupid, disaster, selfishness, tragedy, devastation, horrific, terrifying, unnecessary. Need I continue?
And I thought I was having a rough day this morning. Little did anyone know that 26 lives would be taken, 20 of them children under the age of 10, by a monster. For the 13th time this year, a crazed human being has successfully ruined the lives of many families. View the detailed list here.
This morning, a 20-year-old boy took it upon himself to murder 27 people. Of those, 20 were innocent, naive children who will not be celebrating Christmas with their families. As one young man put it, "Hey you. You. The Ones that left us today. The ones that experienced the worst that humanity can do. You little angels who closed your eyes in a living Hell this morning. I'm so, so very sorry that this world didn't give you a chance. Even though you didn't even have a chance to realize how big the world is, today, the sad end of your lives affected MILLIONS of people. It's probably of little comfort to you at all, but tonight in America, Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia...everywhere...mommies are holding their kids a little tighter and a little longer. Daddies are listening to their kids and showing them more love. You twenty little souls were set free this morning, and there is nothing good that can be said about that. But because you left, and the way you were taken, millions of kids still here on earth tonight will be shown more love than any other ordinary Friday night. Your short and precious lives had a value and a purpose. Godspeed."
Couldn't have said it better myself. These families have been affected to the bone, to their very core. These families (of all the victims) will never have another traditional and joyous holiday season. These families will be reminded every year at this time of what was ripped from their lives - their loved ones. I pray with all that I am, that the loved ones of the departed are touched by God's healing hand and know that the victims are now at peace in His presence. I pray for their heartache to be lessened to allow them to breathe and to focus on rebuilding their new lives. I pray for humanity - that those who are filled with hatred and the need to place torture upon others will be placed in the path of righteousness and not harm innocent individuals. I pray that, as a nation, we support those affected this year by such tragedies. I pray for healing. I pray for guidance. I pray for God to be implemented back into our society. I pray.
None of what has happened makes sense. It almost doesn't seem real. Is this actually happening?! Yes. It is. Sadly, it is impossible to feel safe anywhere anymore, not even the movie theater or an elementary school. Sadly, there are sick individuals who seek attention and to cause pain and suffering. Sadly, it's not quite as shocking, each time a mass shooting occurs.
And really?! Small children?! I'm angry. I'm angry that the shooter was willing to take his own life and harm so many innocent human beings. I'm angry that this is becoming a norm in our society. And I'm scared. I'm scared for our future as a nation. This definitely draws my heart and soul closer and closer to God. For with Him and through Him, all things are possible. Even the healing process for those whose lives will forever be tainted with the bloodshed of their loved ones. It's possible. My heart is broken tonight, but let the healing begin. As long as it may take.
