Boston

   What was my reaction to the events of yesterday? The tragedy in Boston happened, and as I looked back on it this morning, I tried to think of my feelings when I heard the news, and as I watched the videos on the Internet.

   Reactions occur on many different levels, most relating to the time that has elapsed since the event and since my hearing the news.

   Initially, I felt the shock of the event. I saw and heard the terror of the scene and of the people that were caught up with all of it at the spot it happened. As the newscasts played and replayed the videos, I had the sense that all of our lives had changed.

   Then I thought of The Harbinger book that I had read a few weeks back. Was all of this another of the warnings of God directed at America, and what did all of this mean for my life and those that are close to me?

   As quickly as possible, I wanted to put all of this behind me, to get on with my life as usual. After all, I probably did not know anyone that was there, and the event happened many miles from where I was, so how did it affect me? I got on with life as I knew it, dinner, work on a project, crossword puzzle and sudoku and then a little light reading and to sleep.

   But then as I awoke this morning, the whole thing was there. Even as I looked at the Psalm reading for today, the words written about evil men put me right back in yesterday. What was the message? I had written yesterday that Monday, April 15th was an unknown path that I would walk down, not knowing full well what would its call on my life would be. It was the same for everyone alive that day, as this new day would be.

   I did not want to put my head in the sand and go on as if yesterday had never happened. There was meaning there. If nothing happens without a reason, I wanted to at least look and see if it spoke to me on some level. I could only speak for myself as I tried to listen. My thoughts are all I can write about, I do not know what all of this says to someone else.

   God allowed all of this to happen, and He alone sees the big picture. How do I live in light of that?

   If it is a warning to this country, and if that warning is for me, what do I do with it now?

   It is 2 Chronicles 7:14 again:

   "if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

   Then it is the part of an old hymn, mentioned in the Moravian Daily Text for today:

   "Breathe on me breath of God
   until my heart is pure
   until with you I will one will
   to do or to endure"

   There is a personal aspect to the whole series of events and a personal responsibility to have the proper response.

   I need to begin there before I spend more time in looking for reasons and causes.

   So, as I pray for all those that are hurting this morning, I ask also for wisdom and insight into my life, so as to be a healer and not a destroyer.

   My part in this story may be almost non-existent, but let it be in Your Will, Oh, God.