It’s taken me all weekend to think, process, and respond to the horrific events of Friday. I have everything to say…and very few things at all.
The death of innocent children, grieving parents, devastated communities, heartbroken nations– it’s not unlike the pain of war-torn countries, of genocide…of the events surrounding Jesus’ birth as Mary and Joseph escaped the egomania of King Herod. There has long been a precedent of the innocent suffering at the hands of the self-absorbed, cowardly, hateful, and evil. I’m deeply saddened by the devastating death of innocent school children and heroic teachers…but I’m not surprised.
Honestly, I’m sometimes surprised that there isn’t more continuous destruction…that God has graciously restrained us from utterly destroying ourselves. I’m surprised when I see His grace hedging me in from the cliff of my own self-sufficiency, my deceptive pride, my self-righteous temper, and my wandering heart. Left up to myself, destructive, crushing, and painful consequences of my sin would find its mark on my children’s lives, and in the lives of those around me. It is by God’s grace that I’m not as sinful as I could be. It is by God’s grace that I am being transformed day by day out of what I would be and into what He can make me. The sin that I hate in others…is the same sin that resides in me. Christ is the hope for sinners–victims and victimizers alike.
Many around us have been paralyzed by fear, anxiety, or anger in response to this great tragedy. It’s understandable. Every news channel, psychiatrist, article, and analyst can and will provide us with fodder for whatever it is that overwhelms us. There is no simple platitude that will take away the pain, and yet, we can rest our hope on this: God is still in control. He will right every wrong. This world is not our home.
In the chaos and lawlessness of sin, His boundless love is what fetters our hearts to His; what secures our hope to Heaven, and what anchors our fears to faith and not fate. I’m grateful for this today.
So we continue to weep with those who weep, mourn with those who mourn, and seek to show the kindness and compassion that our world needs to see in the face of such grief.
And while we do so, may we rest in the faithfulness of God that mends the brokenhearted, gives hope through forgiveness at the Cross, that offers freedom where only shackles abound, and that will judge rightly according to His holiness and love.
It’s all this broken world really needs. It’s all this broken mama needs, as she sends her little ones to classes on campus today in a broken world. Blessings to you this day as you begin your week off trusting IN HIM.
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Now let’s link up in community…
Welcome to GraceLaced Mondays, a link up dedicated to sharing any and all blog posts by like-minded lovers of grace–God’s grace! Grace is found in the everyday when you are intentional about taking note of it…and I invite you to share your story, great or small, of how everyday moments are full of Grace.
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What a timely message for us today. Thank you so much!! And thank you for the linkup!
Thank you for joining me here. I’m so honored.
sweet ruth. thank you for these true words.
you’ve said exactly what i’ve wanted to say, but couldn’t pen just yet.
praise jesus for the cross of christ and HOPE of glory!
love you xoxo
Hannah, friend…I love that we are such soul sistas.
Hope has to rest somewhere, and I’m thankful it can rest in Jesus rather than the uncertainty of this crazy world. Thanks for your words today, Ruth. Holding on to faith, hope, and love along with you.
I’m blessed that we’ve connected here. I so agree…thankful that He provides us the TRUE rest we need!
One leader in Sudan has been responsible for over 400,000 deaths and 40,000 children abducted. The children are raped, tortured and made as slaves. These kind of events are a daily occurrence. We become so detached from the suffering and we are so shocked when it is near us. Reminds me of the rich man and Lazarus.
I was thinking this very thing, Vicki. Thank you for sharing.
Praise God for His faithfulness, mercy, grace, and unfailing love. We cannot understand the circumstances, but we can have faith that He is infinitely good and infinitely powerful. Thanks for the great post & for hosting, & God bless.
Thank you for linking up, Laurie! Amen…He is trustworthy even when our feelings and our own wisdom is lacking. Praise God.
Amen Ruth. This morning I actually had the same thought about being surprised this sort of things doesnt happen every single day. That is certainly, immeasurable grace.
Immeasurable grace…when we take the time to really consider it, we have so much to be grateful for in the midst of all that seems amiss.
I was also discussing this very thing with my Mother in law after the tragedy. Without minimizes the atrocity of this situation, she graciously reminded me of God’s graceful hand, and how if we were really truly left to ourselves, it would be so much worse. Man is capable of horrific things.