Hope in Yet Another Tragedy

Our grandparents remember where they were when JFK, Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy were assassinated. For our generation we will always remember 9/11, Newtown and now the Boston Marathon bombing. As I sat at my desk yesterday, unable to work, listening online and watching the live Twitter feed so many emotions ran through me. Anger, sadness and full of questions.

Anger at the person responsible for this. Anger that our country is yet again dealing with a tragedy. Sadness for all the people affected. The small children in the crowd. The families there from Newtown who were to be honored, to be given a break from their grief. For those injured and killed. All they simply wanted to do was watch or run a marathon. An innocent activity. Yet, that innocence was ripped away by this horrific act. 

I began to weep as I saw the video of the blast, and watched the old man get knocked down by it. Now, old men always bring about a lot of emotions in me, as they remind me of my beloved Grandpa. But seeing that old man go down, just really affected me. 

The Old Man After the Blast

It made me cry out to God, why? Why is this happening? Why another tragedy?  Why knock our nation down, when we haven't stood back up from the Newtown tragedy? All I wanted to do was go to church and pray. Pray and worship the Lord. The why question will never fully be answered during my life on Earth (I like to think when we get to heaven, you get a question and answer session with God, where he shows you why things occurred, it's probably wishful thinking, but hey, who knows!) as it just does not make sense, but the thing to remember is there is sin in this world. We all sin, and fall short. Everyday when we wake up, we will do something sinful that day. Because of sin, we all hurt other people. Why some people's sinful nature bring about so much tragedy and unrest, I don't know but what I do know is God is the only steadfast, unchanging thing in my life. In every circumstance, no matter how distant God seems, He's there.

Psalm 23:4

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for you are with me; Thy rod and Thy staff, they comfort me. 

He was there today. Today watching over the scene, that makes no sense to us as humans. He was there with the brave men and women who rushed to the scene to take care of others. He was there as people comforted each other. He was there as our nation mourned. He's there tonight, comforting the families of those who lost our lives. God is in control of all of this. He never promised our life would be easy and without hurt. But eventually He promised that one day, He will return to wipe away all of our pain. Until that day comes, we need to keep praying, looking out for one another and finding the good in each day. Whether that good is just a simple sunshine or smile from a stranger. There is good out, some days it might be more difficult to see. But it's there. 

Revelation 21:4
and He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there shall no longer be any death; there shall no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away