The news continues to broadcast pictures and stories of those impacted by the earthquake in Haiti. The pictures are difficult to view. Seeing the pain in their faces is truly hard for me. I am so thankful for the emergency workers and the military personnel who are providing aid and relief to the people of Haiti. Their needs are so great. The devastation is incomprehensible, and there are so few places untouched by the earthquake.
Our world has experienced so many catastrophic events in the last decade. The hundreds of thousands of lives lost is hard to accept. Yesterday, our church had a time of prayer and a collection for relief in Haiti. Both of my boys freely gave some of their money, and I couldn’t have been prouder of them. A new member of our church is from Haiti. Many, many people sat with him on the stage, praying with him for his country. His presence provided a visual reminder of how their tragedy affects all of us.
One of the images I saw on the news that affected me deeply was a group of Haitians praising God. They were singing songs and lifting their hands to God. They literally praised God amidst the destruction and devastation around them. It caused me to ask myself if I would be praising God if I’d lost family and my home. Is God bigger than my circumstances?
How has the tragedy in Haiti affected you? If you’ve prayed, what have you prayed? Please post your comments at the end of this blog. Thank you.
1 comment
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Jennifer McCutchen
January 18th, 2010 @ 9:02 amI can understand how the devistation in Haiti effects the people in a deeply personal and spiritual way. After we lost all our material belongings in Hurricane Katrina, I found myself resting more in His hands than ever before. It may sound strange, but I think the complete surrender you are witnessing in the praises of the survivors is real and a blessing for them. There are few times in my life that I can honestly say that I felt God’s physical presence holding me and my family, but the love and peace that He shares with us seems intensified during the lowest moments in our lives. It may sound crazy, but I know my walk with God and my faith was strengthened as a result of our catastrophe, and I know that the survivors in Haiti will have the same experience. God’s hand is forever present, it may not always be apparent at that moment of tragedy, but trust me, it will be shown. I pray for the people of Haiti, that they can have the same spiritual awakening that I experienced and feel the love and compassion that only comes from Him. The will get through this tragedy and the world will see God’s presence!