This has been quite the week so far in my little bubble. It started off with us returning from our weekend trip to Jasper to find out that someone had swiped Rob's debit card information, and had been enjoying a $1500 shopping spree while we had been away. I guess the new scam is to actually steal the pin pad machine, then get all the information from there, recreate a new card, and away you go. Well, thankfully we got to the bottom of it, and the money should be returned to our account soon. In the meantime the bank issued Rob a new card, and gave us an overdraft. Golly gee, thanks a lot!
Then in the wee hours on Wednesday morning, I remember hearing something about Haiti on my alarm clock. Of course it was coming in and out, between me pressing the snooze button, with me not really realizing the magnitude of what was being said.
(Actually a funny aside is that I often wake up to my alarm, but am still half asleep, and subsequently press the snooze button a few times. So in a dream like state, I hear the news, and then later in the day when I hear it again, I think I must be psychic or something because I already knew that. Good thing I didn't go to the papers with that one!).
I went with a group from my church in 1998 on a missions trip to Haiti. We traveled to the capital, Port-au-Prince, as well as a tiny remote island called Ile-a-Vache, and a town called Les Cayes. All the same cities I'm hearing about in the news reports. So Haiti is close to my heart these days. Thinking of those most adorable little black babies, who are no longer babies, but teenagers. I just remember that amongst all the poverty around them, they were still the most joyous people I had ever met, always laughing, smiling, giggling, singing.
And talk about generosity! I remember people dragging their own personal cots out of their little huts to provide for us. They treated us like Kings and Queens in their village. We came to put a roof on a church, which would also double as a school for them. On any trip like this, I think you always end up getting more back than you ever put in. Those people of Haiti left quite the impression on me. So they are most definitely on my heart this week.
Later in the day on Wednesday I spoke with my dear friend who told me about the death of a loved one. It was her ex-boyfriend's Dad. The dating relationship ended many years ago now, but she always remained on close terms with his family, and his sister actually stood up for her in her wedding. So this man (the father) was always very dear to her heart. He died suddenly while skiing on a local mountain. The entire family was away for a ski trip, and he collapsed and subsequently died (he was skiing with a friend of the family at the time). A very sad and sudden loss to such an incredible family.
Today I had a friend over for a cup of coffee, and she was telling me all the stuff that's been going in her life over the past two weeks, and how now her foster care placement may break down and the child will be removed. I can't really go into any details with this one, but lets just say, its a tricky situation. The removal of the child will not only be a terrible blow to the foster Mom, but I fear the impact it will have on the foster child. Honestly, the politics that are invovled in foster care really are mind-boggling sometimes.
So yeah. Lots of sad, frustrating, terrible things. And to be honest, I really can't go down the "Why Road." Because for me, that is a point of no return. There will never be a good enough answer to explain the many tragedies of the world today for my small finite, mind. A loving father, a dedicated husband, a respected businessman, a solid community member, gone so suddenly, in good health, at such a young age (maybe early 50's). I just don't think there will ever be a satisfactory answer to that query. Or a 7.0 earthquake in one of the poorest, least prepared nations in the world? I mean really, can you think of a good answer? (other than all that tectonic plate jazz...).
But in the midst of all this 'sad.' I have been reminded of the good. The friend who knew the man who died skiing said that in the First Nations community, when someone dies, they just go and "sit" with the family and mourn together. I love this idea. Because I think so often in grief, we all have such different ways of expressing it, and oftentimes, don't really know how to comfort those who's loss really cannot be comforted by words or cliches or Hallmark cards or flowers or really any of it. But in this scenario we can "sit" alongside of them and let them know that we are going to love them through their pain and sorrow. Now obviously I'm not "sitting" with anyone at the moment, but I think what I can learn from that is that I need to find peace amongst all this sorrow, because there is really nothing I can do about any of it.
And I have to admit, I've seen it far too many times, young husbands, in their prime, die suddenly and leave their wife and children behind. This is something I think about a lot. Well, no, something I fear a lot. Not like it keeps me up at night, but its one thing I've always dreaded happening to my family. For me, its honestly a terrifying thought. So I was sharing this with a good friend, and being the good friend she is, she returned my thoughts to the Scriptures which really honestly does have the ability to calm our fears and give us so much perspective on life. This is some of what she had to share (sorry, I chopped it up a bit, because it was a bit lengthy).
Then in the wee hours on Wednesday morning, I remember hearing something about Haiti on my alarm clock. Of course it was coming in and out, between me pressing the snooze button, with me not really realizing the magnitude of what was being said.
(Actually a funny aside is that I often wake up to my alarm, but am still half asleep, and subsequently press the snooze button a few times. So in a dream like state, I hear the news, and then later in the day when I hear it again, I think I must be psychic or something because I already knew that. Good thing I didn't go to the papers with that one!).
I went with a group from my church in 1998 on a missions trip to Haiti. We traveled to the capital, Port-au-Prince, as well as a tiny remote island called Ile-a-Vache, and a town called Les Cayes. All the same cities I'm hearing about in the news reports. So Haiti is close to my heart these days. Thinking of those most adorable little black babies, who are no longer babies, but teenagers. I just remember that amongst all the poverty around them, they were still the most joyous people I had ever met, always laughing, smiling, giggling, singing.
And talk about generosity! I remember people dragging their own personal cots out of their little huts to provide for us. They treated us like Kings and Queens in their village. We came to put a roof on a church, which would also double as a school for them. On any trip like this, I think you always end up getting more back than you ever put in. Those people of Haiti left quite the impression on me. So they are most definitely on my heart this week.
Later in the day on Wednesday I spoke with my dear friend who told me about the death of a loved one. It was her ex-boyfriend's Dad. The dating relationship ended many years ago now, but she always remained on close terms with his family, and his sister actually stood up for her in her wedding. So this man (the father) was always very dear to her heart. He died suddenly while skiing on a local mountain. The entire family was away for a ski trip, and he collapsed and subsequently died (he was skiing with a friend of the family at the time). A very sad and sudden loss to such an incredible family.
Today I had a friend over for a cup of coffee, and she was telling me all the stuff that's been going in her life over the past two weeks, and how now her foster care placement may break down and the child will be removed. I can't really go into any details with this one, but lets just say, its a tricky situation. The removal of the child will not only be a terrible blow to the foster Mom, but I fear the impact it will have on the foster child. Honestly, the politics that are invovled in foster care really are mind-boggling sometimes.
So yeah. Lots of sad, frustrating, terrible things. And to be honest, I really can't go down the "Why Road." Because for me, that is a point of no return. There will never be a good enough answer to explain the many tragedies of the world today for my small finite, mind. A loving father, a dedicated husband, a respected businessman, a solid community member, gone so suddenly, in good health, at such a young age (maybe early 50's). I just don't think there will ever be a satisfactory answer to that query. Or a 7.0 earthquake in one of the poorest, least prepared nations in the world? I mean really, can you think of a good answer? (other than all that tectonic plate jazz...).
But in the midst of all this 'sad.' I have been reminded of the good. The friend who knew the man who died skiing said that in the First Nations community, when someone dies, they just go and "sit" with the family and mourn together. I love this idea. Because I think so often in grief, we all have such different ways of expressing it, and oftentimes, don't really know how to comfort those who's loss really cannot be comforted by words or cliches or Hallmark cards or flowers or really any of it. But in this scenario we can "sit" alongside of them and let them know that we are going to love them through their pain and sorrow. Now obviously I'm not "sitting" with anyone at the moment, but I think what I can learn from that is that I need to find peace amongst all this sorrow, because there is really nothing I can do about any of it.
And I have to admit, I've seen it far too many times, young husbands, in their prime, die suddenly and leave their wife and children behind. This is something I think about a lot. Well, no, something I fear a lot. Not like it keeps me up at night, but its one thing I've always dreaded happening to my family. For me, its honestly a terrifying thought. So I was sharing this with a good friend, and being the good friend she is, she returned my thoughts to the Scriptures which really honestly does have the ability to calm our fears and give us so much perspective on life. This is some of what she had to share (sorry, I chopped it up a bit, because it was a bit lengthy).
27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
31 So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'
32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6: 27, 31-34
31 So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?'
32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6: 27, 31-34
I think that kind of says it all folks. I am praying for these hurting families, and for the nation of Haiti at such a hard time, and I also intend to put my money where my mouth is and donate to an aid organization helping Haiti. The first one that comes to mind for me is the Red Cross. Its a well known, reliable organization. Nowadays they make it way too easy for people not to give something. I've heard that you can add $5 to your Wal-Mart bill, or at the HBC group of companies you can donate your rewards points to the cause.
My final thought on this crazy week is how tragedy ultimately (hopefully?) causes the local community to rise up. In the Haiti siutaiton you see many nations offering their support, and their finances. Canada's government is going to match, dollar for dollar, any donations made to Haiti, up to $50 million. But even on the smaller scale, I have heard of communities going over and above this week. In the case of the man who died skiing, he came from a smallish town. Well, less than 24 hours after his death, friends had already been to their house to clean it, stock the family's fridge, prepare meals, and they had already made all the arrangements for the out of town family and friends who would no doubt be coming in. Wow.
So today, I just sit. And rest. And try to find peace, amongst the ugly.
So today, I just sit. And rest. And try to find peace, amongst the ugly.
No comments:
Post a Comment
We'd love to hear from you...