Blessings and Raindrops

seeking joy in the midst of the ordinary

darkness.

i had scheduled a post for today to link up with Kelly’s “show us your life” series on Christmas decor. now, in the quake of suffering in that small Connecticut town, it feels outrageously inappropriate.

here i sit in my warm home, sipping my hot tea, my babies safely sleeping upstairs in their beds, glued to the news, numb, sobbing. Crying out for our Lord to be near the brokenhearted.

praying Lysa’s words…

“Sweet Jesus, we come to you broken hearted for the families and friends in Newtown, Connecticut. We have no words, only tears. So, we turn to Your Word… “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted,” Matthew 5:4 NIV.

Oh God, comfort them. Hold them close. Restore hope. Lavish your most tender mercies upon every soul weeping in this midst of this deep sorrow.

We ask this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

and finding comfort in Max Lucado’s prayer…

“Dear Jesus,
It’s a good thing you were born at night. This world sure seems dark. I have a good eye for silver linings. But they seem dimmer lately.
These killings, Lord. These children, Lord. Innocence violated. Raw evil demonstrated.
The whole world seems on edge. Trigger-happy. Ticked off. We hear threats of chemical weapons and nuclear bombs. Are we one button-push away from annihilation?
Your world seems a bit darker this Christmas. But you were born in the dark, right? You came at night. The shepherds were nightshift workers. The Wise Men followed a star. Your first cries were heard in the shadows. To see your face, Mary and Joseph needed a candle flame. It was dark. Dark with Herod’s jealousy. Dark with Roman oppression. Dark with poverty. Dark with violence.
Herod went on a rampage, killing babies. Joseph took you and your mom into Egypt. You were an immigrant before you were a Nazarene.
Oh, Lord Jesus, you entered the dark world of your day. Won’t you enter ours? We are weary of bloodshed. We, like the wise men, are looking for a star. We, like the shepherds, are kneeling at a manger.
This Christmas, we ask you, heal us, help us, be born anew in us.
Hopefully,
Your Children”

Comments

  1. Brittany says

    I know, I was numb since finding it out. It hurts so much for the family, especially since they are sweet kids, and this is so close to the holidays. Thanks for sharing!

    • jenny.marrs@yahoo.com says

      It is so incredibly tragic…and to think that Christmas is just around the corner. I truly cannot fathom what these families are experiencing right now. I've held my boys extra tight and found perspective on little things that are not the least bit important in the scheme of eternity.