Sirens. Lots of them, all day, unrelenting. That's the first thing that enters my mind when I remember the events of April 16th, 2007. The sirens and the unsettling, anxious feeling of knowing something terrible must be happening. What was it? Where? Who?
I was sitting in my doctor's office hardly able to breathe for the sinus crud. Then the news on the waiting room television really took my breath way. "Would you please turn up the volume?" someone asked. Then, more emphatically, "turn it up, turn it up!" Frightening images of police officers wielding large weapons on the Virginia Tech campus, just a mile down the road. Sketchy details of a shooting, and a shooter still on the loose. Warnings for everyone on campus and in the town of Blacksburg to stay indoors. Lockdowns for our children in their schools.
By late afternoon we all found ourselves in a state of shock. Thirty-two innocent victims dead, others wounded, and a shooter who had taken his own life. Unimaginable horror. Here, in sleepy little Blacksburg. Could this be real?
Today I will renew my prayers for the families and friends of those who died. For those who were left injured and otherwise traumatized. For the police and rescue personnel who will always carry with them horrible, unspeakable images. For all of Virginia Tech and the town of Blacksburg. And I think I will make an effort to leave a little trail of kindness around town today. Like the person ahead of me in the Starbucks line did two days after "that day" five years ago, buying a gift card and leaving it with the cashier to treat others until the card ran out, just to show that there was still goodness in the world. A small gesture with a big impact.
Today my daughters have donned their Hokie attire for Hokie Spirit day at school. My husband wore his Virginia Tech golf shirt to work. As for me, this die-hard Georgia Bulldog is sporting a Hokie t-shirt. None of us have any affiliation with the university other than the fact that we live in Blacksburg. And if you lived in Blacksburg on that horrific day five years ago, you will always be a little bit of a Hokie in your heart. You couldn't live here and not experience the heartache, the grief, the anger. We all have a story of "that day." We all still get a little anxious when we hear sirens that go on a little too long. We all knew...someone. And by the grace of God, we all will prevail.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
From Weary to Rest
Do people ever make you feel weary? I mean, I can feel annoyed or angry or frustrated with people sometimes, but weary is different. Weary is heavy. Weary says "I don't know if I can do this anymore," or at the very least, "I really need a break." Sometimes, it borders on hopelessness. I guess that's why Jesus said "come to me, you who are weary and burdened..." (Matthew 11:28) Weary and burdened go hand in hand, one dragging the other until they both collapse, exhausted.
There are all kinds of things that make us feel weary and burdened. Work stress, illness, financial strain, busyness, you get the idea. I'm sure we could add to this list all day long. For me, today, it's people.
And somehow, that just feels awful.
When God gives me tough situations, I'm trying to learn to look for the lessons he wants to teach me through them. Today, I think it's the next part of the verse, the dot-dot-dot that I left out above. "Come to me, you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (italics added) I believe he's telling me to stop fretting and commit these people to him. There are some burdens I can't share or carry, and by trying, I will only become more weary. And there are some people who just need to find their rock bottom, and they never will if allowed to hop from one weary person's shoulders to the next.
Instead of weariness, I think I will cling to thankfulness for the offer of rest. It doesn't mean I will give up the praying or extending compassion, just the burden of worry and of trying to be the "fixer." After all, there is only one Savior, and it's definitely not me. We can all let out a big sigh of relief on that!
There are all kinds of things that make us feel weary and burdened. Work stress, illness, financial strain, busyness, you get the idea. I'm sure we could add to this list all day long. For me, today, it's people.
And somehow, that just feels awful.
When God gives me tough situations, I'm trying to learn to look for the lessons he wants to teach me through them. Today, I think it's the next part of the verse, the dot-dot-dot that I left out above. "Come to me, you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (italics added) I believe he's telling me to stop fretting and commit these people to him. There are some burdens I can't share or carry, and by trying, I will only become more weary. And there are some people who just need to find their rock bottom, and they never will if allowed to hop from one weary person's shoulders to the next.
Instead of weariness, I think I will cling to thankfulness for the offer of rest. It doesn't mean I will give up the praying or extending compassion, just the burden of worry and of trying to be the "fixer." After all, there is only one Savior, and it's definitely not me. We can all let out a big sigh of relief on that!
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