the boston marathon

(source)

I was typing up my weekend review yesterday and then suddenly, my Twitter feed was filled with what happened at the Boston Marathon.

My natural reaction to this was to jump forward 2 weeks to the OKC Memorial Marathon.  What if something happens there?  What if it's not safe?  It's amazing how quickly fear can settle in.  Not only does Satan work in terrible ways, convincing people to do terrible things to innocent people, but he loves the way it automatically instills a sense of fear into all who are watching.  How he longs for us to be scared.

After hushing all of those questions in which I can do absolutely nothing about, I thought about this post.  Again, my prayer is that God is so near to all of those affected by the deep sadness of yesterday - the parents of the precious 8 year old who died, the children who are praying that their parents are going to be okay, the friends who watched it all, the people who are forever changed.

I also am praying for the mental state of all involved.  Some people walked away from that marathon with minds filled with fear and horror.   Some will always remember this day as the beginning of feeling afraid.  Some will spend the rest of the year dreading the anniversary of it.  I pray healing over those people.  And that they will seek the help they need and, ultimately, allow the power of God to pour hope back into their lives.

As I read Twitter yesterday, I noticed a couple snarky tweets that were a bit unneccessary.  Like the fight over whether humanity is good or bad.  It amazed me that people felt it was the time to argue about how others perceive the world after experiencing such darkness.  People should grieve in the way they need to grieve.  In my opinion, it's all of the above.

I saw the heroes of yesterday and my heart was warmed.  I thought if this happened here in OKC, I hope to be one who would run to help someone in need.  I'm so thankful for people who truly care for others and, when it comes down to it, choose to put themselves last.

I also saw the darkness of this earth and the tragedy of senseless evil upon innocent people who were merely supporting their friends/family, running for a cause, volunteering out of the generosity of their hearts, or celebrating a typically joyous day in Boston.

At the end of the day, the only thing we can count on is putting our hope in the Lord.  He is the only thing that will not fail us.

Today, I rest in this:

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world."  John 16:33