Unless you are hiding under a rock one must admit this has been a tough week for the US of A. The events of Monday in Boston are still fresh, heightened by the drama of this difficult day while a terrorist is hunted and a city and region are shut down. We still wonder aloud about the senselessness of it all and the tragic deaths of three innocent and wonderful human beings. We may wonder as well about all those, seemingly healthy and happy, who now must endure life with physical pain and amputated limbs. Why should a safety officer for a well healed educational institution like M.I.T. be killed, sitting in his patrol car? What would it be if it was our city paralyzed and gripped by some sense of fear on this Friday afternoon?
If this would not be enough, can we not feel remorse for the people of West, Texas. Their world was just fine the other night and in an instant, the time it took for that fertilizer plant to blow up, that world was shaken to its' core. Innocent life lost and such devastating losses to volunteer first responders will leave that small town forever changed. Again, how would our community react? Could we bounce back?
These two events are more than enough to challenge the American psyche in one week. Add to this the continued demonstration of political vitriol in the Senate's vote about gun control and the equally vitriolic responses, including from the President and a little known and hardly publicized criminal court case where a doctor is being prosecuted for killing babies born alive in the hideous process of late term abortions.
No, this may not be the best week for us Americans although in at least two of these stories, Boston & West, we have much to remind us of good old American goodness in the many heroes, first responders and others, who help us see good in the middle of such evil.
This week for me personally is one of profound peace. Ever since I found out my son and his wife were going to make me a grandfather, I have been in love with this baby. When he was born in September, holding him was a great day; a new feeling! I had held and loved on my children yes, but now one of my children brought new life into this world. Calvin has been a great addition to my life, to my family, even though he lives 815 miles away. This week it is visit # 4 for me and I am enjoying it immensely. This time Calvin is about the business of what little 7-8 month old little boys do and it is so much different from the last visit. From the great joy I am experiencing by just visiting with him, I also have the gift of great peace! The world, through my eyes, just seems a whole lot more tolerable and peaceful than it really is. Being with little Calvin and relying on my faith life makes this possible. Of course it does not change the reality of how the world really is; it's just manageable in my world!
So I offer my sincerest prayers in this week of great difficulty, and thank God for the gift of my relationship with Him and the gift of my #1 grandson.
Please join me in praying for all involved with the tragedies in Boston & West and may each of you find that which can give you profound peace!
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