The kids have been hearing about Haiti for several weeks now. Daddy was scheduled to fly down on a video project at the end of the month, meeting with missionaries Bruce and Cindy McMartin who work with seminary students in the capital city of Port-au-Prince.
Last week I filled out the new school schedule. Up next in science? Earthquakes. We checked out books and watched videos, talking about the small tremors that I have experienced in my lifetime, and what to do in case of an earthquake.
Then, suddenly, the two topics violently collided.
Haiti. Earthquake.
And they both became so much more real. These were real lives, real damage with unbelievable hurt and loss. We were so thankful to hear that Bruce and Cindy are okay, but much of their school has collapsed and the surrounding damage is overwhelming. The death toll rises.
This morning we gathered around the laptop to look through pictures of the devastation. Avery grabbed the globe and said, "Let's find Haiti." We looked and we ached. Tears fell. And we prayed.
It seemed appropriate that in the early quiet of this morning I should chance to hear this gentle strain whispered into the void:
Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heavenly, Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.
Would you pray for Haiti today, too?
what a fabulous reminder of God's GRACE in little hearts. so many parents try to shield little eyes & small ears from the "realities" of this world. my parents didn't. they grabbed my hands, told me to guard my heart, & walked with me full-force into the ugly world that was left for us.
ReplyDeleteand i'm better for it. absolutely 250% better for it.
thank for sharing.
{i found your blog via the link on boundless :)}