I confess to being overwhelmed and in deep lament this week. Too many things too close to home. Not good things. Events about which I am angry, sad, outraged. Yea, outraged. Me who tries to hold my outrage to a minimum in a world that tries to incite outrage at every turn.
Where to start? Afghanistan. My son served on a forward operating base in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan. He worked with several Afghans there. They are his friends. One of them offered to find him a wife for pity’s sake!! And they served along side him knowing that when they chose to serve they might get a death sentence. This week, they did. This is a common story for all of our soldiers who were deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq.
This isn’t a endorsement or a condemnation of the decisions made about going to war or leaving. It is a lament for the Afghans and their families who will be searched out and slaughtered. Afghans whose names our loved ones know. And for the Afghans who love Jesus.
Next is Haiti. Earlier this week, Haiti suffered another devastating earthquake. Several weeks ago, their president was assassinated creating even more political turmoil than they already were experiencing.
In 2010, they were also devastated by an earthquake from which they largely have never recovered. So much seems to be against Haiti. In 2015, we had the privilege of visiting Haiti with Heart to Heart International and meeting a number of Haitians, visiting schools and medical facilities, hearing stories of hard fought restoration.
How does one lament for people who fight hard to get back up but can’t seem to get a break? For people you know? In this case, for Haiti.
Finally, but only because I’m running out of emotional bandwidth, the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic now with the Delta flavor of the summer. Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, I am weary of this. Oh the masks and the social distancing and the other health measures are not what make me weary. Good grief I’ve taken life-drugs for a very long time so being inconvenienced for my health is not new. I get a flu shot and go to the dentist and get an annual physical every year.
No, I’m weary from yet another friend or family member getting sick and some of them dying. Including those who have gotten vaccinated. And of course some who have chosen not to get vaccinated. I’m weary from worrying about my loved ones, mostly my grandchildren who are too young to get vaccinated. This being a mom and a nana is hard in these times. My kids are too old for me to make health decisions for, and my grandchildren have parents who make those decisions for them. I get stuck with worry.
I’m weary of the ongoing deluge of headlines that bleed hyperbole, that encourage hopelessness. Is there no shame? Finding FACTS is so difficult. Those who know better get caught up in outrage and then cause damage.
O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies, hear my prayer. Listen, O God of Jacob. – Psalms 84:8
In the midst of my lament, I know to turn to God and bring these sorrows, these worries, these feelings to the Throne, to the Lord God of Heaven’s Armies. To seek the protection and rescue of the Afghans and their families, the restoration of Haiti, and the pandemic protection.
And I still lament.
Just Sayin' 