Can’t Keep Silent

Can’t Keep Silent

I’m supposed to be writing a short paper for an independent study that I’m taking on the Pastoral Letters…Reading about how women were to “learn in silence with full submission” (1 Timothy 2:11) and not “teach or to have authority over a man; she is to keep silent” (verse 12).

I can’t keep silent.

The news of today’s explosions at the Boston Marathon hit me straight to the heart. I am a runner. The Boston Marathon is such a special event, like the Super Bowl of running. All the preparation and training, the hard work and dedication…What should have been such a joyous day, filled with amazing accomplishments, has been eclipsed by what may yet be another act of violence.

It also hits straight to the heart when I read that one of the victims was an 8-year-old child.

At work today, there was a sweet little girl, wearing a purple coat and sparkly, purple hat. I made conversation with her and her aunt. I complimented the color of her outfit, mentioning that purple is one of my favorite colors. So is hers, as well as pink. Same with me. They were going to make blueberry muffins. Sharing in a joyful conversation with them, and then this sweet girl smiled and shared her name with me: Evie Grace. It chokes me up, thinking about how someone could even consider hurting people they don’t know…Innocent people…Children.

I have not yet been blessed to have children of my own…I hope someday. Then, to see the harm that we can do to one another breaks my heart.

Why do things like this continue to happen? I don’t know…We don’t have all the answers. We live in a broken world, as broken people…To imagine a world where everyone would use their power, time, and energy for good would be like heaven on earth.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me” (Matthew 19:14, NRSV). Right now, I see myself as one of those children, coming to the open arms of Christ, seeking comfort and peace. Truth be told, there are no safer arms to be in.

I had such joy in my heart with what was a wonderful, amazing, blessed weekend. Today my heart aches.

Good and evil, hills and valleys, warm fuzzies and cold pricklies…Life is full of all of it.

Evil, though, does not get the final say. Death does not win. Hope trumps despair. Love and light overcome hate and darkness. It may seem dark right now, and maybe we need to journey through that for a time. May we remember that behind the clouds, the sun still shines. The sun is there. God is with us in the hurt…God was there at the explosions, with all those impacted by what happened. God’s heart breaks as do our hearts. Christ is present in the actions of the first responders and helpers. May we be encouraged that for every malicious act that happens, the helpers way outnumber them, the good overtakes the bad.

We pray for the hurt, the injured, the dead, the mourners, the helpers, and, yes, even the perpetrators…Pray for all impacted. We pray as Christ taught us to pray, in the words of “The Lord’s Prayer.”

And, the next time I run…Maybe each time I run from here on out…I will remember…Remember those who never had the chance to finish today’s race. Each day truly is a gift. Each opportunity to run, no matter rain, snow, wind…Makes complaining about this winter weather seem so small. Perspective.

May peace fill and surround you…Pray for everyone impacted…Tell and show your loved ones how much you care. May we not keep silent in matters of love.

May Jesus walk with you, holding your hand…And may we hold the hands of one another.

When we come together in the Spirit of love, peace, and unity, then hate, destruction, and discord don’t have a foot to stand on.

“Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don’t be afraid.” ~ Frederick Buechner, Beyond Words

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5).