Staring out the window, admiring the bluebonnets as I drove from one clinical site to another around 2pm central time today my daydream was interrupted with news of the explosions at the Boston Marathon. I didn't have many details, so I went on about my business. As I logged onto the computer in the hallway at the hospital, I saw a nurse coming frantically down the hallway on his cell phone. I soon learned he was trying to reach his friend who was running the marathon. He informed us that two were dead and many injured. I immediately realized this wasn't some freak accident or arbitrary prank. I came home soon after that and watched the news and videos of the explosions with my roommate and her parents who happened to be in town. As we watched the carnage I was in a state of pure disgust at what humans are capable of. I will never understand people who choose to harm the innocent, steal people's joy, and take the lives of others. It makes me absolutely sick to see these things happen.
My thoughts and prayers go out to those who know any of the injured or deceased related to this senseless, horrific event. I'm blessed to know that my friends who were at the event are safe, but I know not everyone can say the same.
I want to also remind people to be thankful for those first-responders who so willingly entered the scene to help the wounded. Medics, firefighters, police, military, and all alike are very close to my heart. Though they knew not what was to come, they gave of themselves for those who could not help themselves. In the chaos, we are still blessed by people of character, and that is something to be grateful for.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Sunday, April 7, 2013
10,000 Reasons for My Heart to Find
It's funny how one song can remind you of so much...an excerpt from my journal in Haiti should (kind of) explain this a little:
"Once the kite-making chaos ensued, a young boy who had been leaning on me asked for help. As soon as I said yes he climbed my leg to sit in my lap so we could make his "kite." (I say it that way because that thing was NOT going to fly. I'm quite certain it doesn't deserve the name at all in fact because that bundle of sticks, string, and paper was pathetic looking.) He was so young though that he had a blast just flinging the thing around. As I watched him play, some girls took the liberty of braiding my hair, and before I knew it the boy was back in my lap clinging to my neck as he snuggled up. I was sweating and it was ridiculously hot, but I couldn't push him away. I knew that at that moment I was supposed to love that child, even if the only love I could show was a hug and a place to sit. As I held that child I again heard God say, "This is what you're made for."I don't even know why the song came to mind, but I began to sing 10,000 Reasons as I rocked the boy to sleep. I almost didn't believe it when he began to echo what I was singing. I pray that he will grow into a strong man of faith, a strong man of God in that village. I truly believe that God is raising up His kingdom in Haiti with this younger generation...as I sit here on the orphanage porch writing this I cannot help but feel overwhelmed. I honestly thought this trip wouldn't mean that much to me, but it is slowly breaking me. I don't know what it means, but I am excited to see what it leads to." - 3/13/12
And once more, God has a sense of humor...as I finished writing this post 10,000 Reasons by Matt Redman came on my Pandora station. Coincidence?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtwIT8JjddM
"Once the kite-making chaos ensued, a young boy who had been leaning on me asked for help. As soon as I said yes he climbed my leg to sit in my lap so we could make his "kite." (I say it that way because that thing was NOT going to fly. I'm quite certain it doesn't deserve the name at all in fact because that bundle of sticks, string, and paper was pathetic looking.) He was so young though that he had a blast just flinging the thing around. As I watched him play, some girls took the liberty of braiding my hair, and before I knew it the boy was back in my lap clinging to my neck as he snuggled up. I was sweating and it was ridiculously hot, but I couldn't push him away. I knew that at that moment I was supposed to love that child, even if the only love I could show was a hug and a place to sit. As I held that child I again heard God say, "This is what you're made for."I don't even know why the song came to mind, but I began to sing 10,000 Reasons as I rocked the boy to sleep. I almost didn't believe it when he began to echo what I was singing. I pray that he will grow into a strong man of faith, a strong man of God in that village. I truly believe that God is raising up His kingdom in Haiti with this younger generation...as I sit here on the orphanage porch writing this I cannot help but feel overwhelmed. I honestly thought this trip wouldn't mean that much to me, but it is slowly breaking me. I don't know what it means, but I am excited to see what it leads to." - 3/13/12
And once more, God has a sense of humor...as I finished writing this post 10,000 Reasons by Matt Redman came on my Pandora station. Coincidence?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtwIT8JjddM
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