Blessed To Be Living In The US of A

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There are many reasons--mostly that I've crazy busy!!!

It's the end of the semester--I went to a conference 2 weeks ago--and I'm treading water a lot.

Oddly enough though--I wanted to write about this.

Months ago.  But--couldn't.

Starting around about the beginning of March, I felt like I usually do weeks before September.

Weeks before the anniversary of 9/11.

The feelings I get then are memory filled, grief filled, prayer filled.

And--I started getting those same feelings around the beginning of March.

I decided it was partially because of my mother's death, and Jason's.

So--I've allowed grief, thought, review of what happened, pondering.

And much review of what happened.  I had this desire to review what happened 12 years ago.

Not my experience--which I typically review every year--but other's experiences this time.

And then--what happened in Boston happened this week.

Am I speechless?  Surprisingly I sort of am, and yet am not at the same time.

There has been too much of this.  Too many "signs of the time".  Too many shootings.  Too many deaths.

Yet--in America we are still amazingly blessed compared to many other countries, where such things are "the norm".

I don't think we quite realize how blessed we are.

But, oddly, I felt a little "prepped" this time?  Is that horrible or what?

It's horrible---but then I listen to those who were "prepped"--the people who ran in, instead of away.

The helpers.

I have decided to become an even better prepared helper.  I'm not sure when it will occur--but somethings have become more clear.

Yet, still--I pray--pray for the people, for the world, for our leaders, and for the victims and their families.

And I thank the Lord everyday that I live in a country where so many people run in, and help others.  Where even if they cannot help with the medical care, they give, they are kind, they are careful, and they show love.

What a beautiful reality.  Al Roker (yes, Roker) said this morning something to the extent of the following quote this morning--and it is all I want to say right now:

(I'm not quoting it exactly word for word)

"The terrorists do these things, thinking that they will tear us a part.  Instead, it unites us in the U.S."

What a beautiful reality in many ways.

Amen, amen!