I am joining a volunteer effort cooking for the kids at the riding camp this morning. Brothers and sisters in Christ will arrive for the cooking, and we will have one subject that demands attention. For one young couple, my neighbors in fact, their home is gone. I watched their parents, brothers, and friends dealing with the disaster in their various ways. Lots of tears, prayer, and discussion. Some talked out the event on their cell phones. Mostly we just stood and watched as the firefighters worked. This family has suffered so much in this life. Taking all that into account, one realizes that life on this fallen planet can be almost indescribably mean. So much pain and loss, yet the family is standing outside the burning house without injury. I may need to tell myself one more time: their house is gone, but the family wasn't home, they are alive. For their renter in the apartment on the back of the house, that cannot be said. The meanness of seemingly random events took her life in this disaster.
Far easier for us to dwell on the pain and what is no more, but Jesus comforts us as we comfort each other. We may dwell on the crucifixion, but our Lord may ask us to look rather at the resurrection. We may mourn a lost home, but we can look at the family standing together unhurt too. Life dishes out the meanness, but we may want to see the love. We mourn the loss of a life as people drive by the scene, probably thinking at least a little about their own mortality. People gather to watch the fire as people will, and they may hope to be able to help in some way. However, for most of us the best we can do is stay out of the way... and pray.
Yours in Christ Jesus,Bucky
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