Yesterday, I was home when the news broke out about a horrific tragedy in the United States. I wrote my second blog of the day as I thought about the parents and children of the murdered victims. I was once again reminded that our time on earth is short and that we should make every moment count. And then I went to a High School basketball game and cheered on my son and his team. As I was looking at the young faces in the crowd, babies and toddlers, I thought of the love I saw on their parents faces and my heart weeped for a minute.
Most parents know what love means. Love is a feeling until you have a child and then its a life long commitment full of triumph and tragedy. As parents we mess up. Our children don't come with a manuel and often, we disappoint. But if you have love in your heart, you replace the moments of tragedy with victory because love conquers all. When the Oklahoma City bombing occurred, the US was devastated and so that we never forget a memorial was established. Many peoples lives were lost that day and there were a fair number of children. Now, we are seeing this stupid senseless loss of life happening on a daily basis and I was reminded that we don't have control over guns, people or anything! Only Christ does and what does He say, He said to love your enemy, your friend, your wife, your husband, your children; He said to love people.
So today as our nation mourns this horrific tragedy, I'm set to love people. I may never meet one of the victims families but they are written on my heart. At 4 am this morning I woke and all I could think about was the families effected by this act. We may never know what took place that day and really, does it matter. We need to concentrate on the brave women and men that protected children, that prayed over them and we must pray that the children turn toward God. Their journey has just begun. As we saw from the Columbine massacre, faith can play an intricate role in how all these children do in the future. I am confident that with the help of our Lord, we can love these people.
Many of you have faced tragedies in your life. You know what it is to mourn. The mourning of a child is great. I watched my parents grieve and so I know the effects of losing a child. Thank God I have not had to go through it but there is one that did and that was Mary. She was blessed among women because she was chosen to carry our Savior. And in the end, she watched as her precious Son hung on a cross. The grief and devastation of yesterday is known by God. Why? Because He sent His only Son to earth, to save man. Throughout History there have been senseless acts of violence, yesterday was no different.
I realize that nothing I write today or in the days to come can be more profound than the Scripture. I also realize that it may take some of the parents time to seek Christ but my hope is that the women that are dedicated to reading this blog and loving Christ, will ban together and pray. The only way to love those we don't know is to pray. Our God is a mighty and merciful God. Many of you may be questioning how a loving God could let this happen. I'm not God so I don't really know. My faith has to be in what He says and who He is. I have come to realize that I'm not as smart as our maker and I can't second guess why these angels had to go to Him now. What I do know is that prayer is powerful, it can keep evil at bay and shine love throughout the world.
Revelation was clear that there would be times of great tragedy all over the world until Jesus came to reclaim His rightful place here on earth. Although my brain wants to go to places like, "Why?" I'm not going to today. I want to sit at the feet of my Lord and watch as He brings a nation together. For a fraction of a minute yesterday, every head was bowed and every heart heavy for the families of Newtown. May the Lord we call Savior bring light into this town. Through tragedy, may we unite and call upon our Lord. I hate that it takes something like this to happen to make people come together but in the end, if they come to Christ all will not be lost.
I'm sure that your heart is heavy today too. I know that for me I wish I could fly to that town and hold the mothers and fathers that have lost loved ones. I'm mourning for each family and hoping that God does a miracle in this town. Please pray that many that have not come to Christ will through this event. Please pray for the children and teachers that waited in closets and corners. Please pray for everyone touched by this event. The US is not the only country dealing with horrific loss. There are places in the Middle East that are in War. Children will be victims as long as man is evil. I pray that the evil would be replaced by the glory of our Lord and that as we approach Christmas we will remember the miraculous story of Jesus's birth and what could happen if millions would come to know Him.
I'm reminded of the poem Longfellow wrote and that Casting Crowns recorded a couple of Years ago. You may have heard it, "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day." I'm praying that in their despair the families of these victims will hear the bells and know that God is near. If you know of someone that has lost a child this year, please spend time with them this season, they need you. I'm praying for you too. I don't know you and I can't touch you but my heart prays for you. I may never get to hug you or speak to you but God has written you on my heart and I know that as we come together, He will do great things throughout the world. We are not helpless my sisters. We are empowered because we have Jesus Christ. We may not be able to stop a massive shooting but we can spread love throughout the nations, we can light a path toward Christ and we can pray! We have more power than a young man with a gun for we know Jesus. Please stand with me this morning and take a moment to remember the families throughout the world that have lost someone and with all that you have please sing, "Glory, Glory is our God Almighty!" He is our hope in this fallen world. I will not rest until people know the love Christ has for them. In a world full of darkness, He is the light!
I hope this day finds you well; kiss your children, hug your husband or boyfriend and take time out to love someone. Love is the gift that keeps giving. At the end of the day, it's the only gift that counts.
Isaiah 60:1 NKJV:
Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.
Acts 26:17 NKJV:
I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.'
1 John 4:19 NKJV:
We love Him because He first loved us.
My prayer today:
O, Lord, as a nation watches the devastation, we know you are near. A babe takes nine months to grow and years to culture and within minutes it can be cut down. Many lost their lives yesterday. This tragedy is happening everywhere. You know it and You are there. I would love to ask "Why?" But somehow it just doesn't seem appropriate. Millions are watching a town in Connecticut to see what You will do. I'm praying that the families of the victims and the survivors will come to know You in a mighty way. I pray that love would spread like wildfire through that community and hearts would be healed through You. The world is in a state of chaos. Children are turning against their parents, wars are everywhere and the world is self-destructing, but in the wake of man's mistakes, You are there. I believe that You are God. I believe that You hold the keys to good versus evil and I believe that if I pray, You will answer. Through this prayer, I am hoping millions will come before You and confess that You are Savior. I'm praying that Christ would be brought back into homes and schools and that the gospel would not be silent. Women all over the world are uniting and asking You today to protect the innocent, love the needy and bring restoration to our land. The generations we bear are Yours. So help us lift them up, love them and never forget that with every tragedy, You are there to pick up the pieces. Please protect the world as we come to You asking You to be there for us. We are only women Lord but You are God. I am honored to serve You and so thankful that You write people on my heart. I don't have all the answers, Lord, but You do. May we all come before You today pledging our hearts and prayers to families all over the world. Love conquers all and You are love! In Jesus name, AMEN
Until tomorrow...
No comments:
Post a Comment