There are not many moments when I
find myself nearly suffocated with grief, fear and misunderstanding but
tonight is one of them. I saw
this post recently and it has rocked me
to my core. Keeping in mind that this is in the wake of all the other violence going on throughout the world as well.
Each
picture I passed more tears began to well up in my eyes and my stomach
continued to turn in knots. Each picture I passed I said a prayer,
"Thank you, Jesus, for our home. Thank you, Jesus, for our safety.
Thank you, Jesus, that neither my child nor I, have ever known this type
of fear. Thank you, Jesus, for medical bills that mean I can provide
medicine to both Camden and my unborn baby. Thank you Jesus, for soft
pillows, blankets, heat and comfort." How did you choose me for this
life of privilege?
Yet, here I sit. Hurting for these
parents. Hurting for these children who in their short lives have been
exposed to and known more hardship, hurt, terror and violence than I
will ever know. I'm motionless. I have all of this knowledge, and
moreso I've always had a solid foundation of faith in which I trust that
God is the creator and leader of this world. Yet I can sit here like
anyone else and say, Lord, how can you allow things like this to
happen? How can you allow your children, the youngest of your lambs, to
endure such pain, heart ache, violence and cruelty? I am frustrated, I
am angry and I don't understand.
As I write this, I don't
have answers and this side of eternity, I never will. All I can do in
my human frailty is choose, deep within my sadness, to trust the Lord
and pray. Just pray. Pray for these children, pray for their parents.
Our hearts break when we see youth go through hard things but what we
don't see are the parents out there, putting on a brave face each
morning and each night, and fighting battles literally, physically, and
spiritually for their children.
In my hurt and angst
after seeing this I am reminded that my God, my Jesus, came and fought
the battle on my behalf. He bore pain and sorrow and put himself in my
place so that I can one day be saved and be with him in eternity. He is
just like those parents putting on a brave face and fighting the
battles on behalf of his children. And that, THAT, is what I have to
place my hope in right now. I am reminded that this earth, this sinful
place, is not our forever home. Tonight I can't create peace and I
can't take away pain but I can pray. I can lift up these families in
the most powerful way I know how and trust and remember that my Jesus
who came before me and bore my pain, can do the same for these people. I
pray that someday these children will know a place where there is no
hurt, no violence and no pain.
I John 5:13
I
write these things to you who believe in the name of the son of God so
that you may know you have eternal life. This is the confidence we have
in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he
hears us.
Dear God,
I beg you to hear me
tonight. Know my heart and teach me your ways. Be near these families
and these children. Help me to be better, to do better, to be more to
your children who are hurting. Thank you for this life that you have
bestowed on my family and me. Thank you for your sacrifice. I pray
that these families efforts are not made in vain but that you hear their
cries. Be with your children and this world in these very dark days.
Help us who know you be a hope and a light of your love. May others who
don't know you realize that even your children struggle with fear,
doubt and anger at the way this world is but in spite of these things we
trust in your will and your ultimate plan. May your love be my peace
and your word be my guide. Father, I thank you that you broke my heart
and shook my comfort. May I be reminded that this life you have given
me is not one to take for granted but to make a difference and used for a
purpose. I pray each day you reveal your heart and purpose for me and
my family and pray that we trust you and walk with grace on that path.
Be near tonight, Lord. In Jesus name I pray, amen.
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