It's Friday!

It is a beautiful day in Washington, DC. Woke up to the sun shining behind the Washington Monument and a clear blue sky! That view from my apartment will never get old. First order of business is to walk my sweet dog Dallas. We had a good walk this morning – tulips were out in full bloom and the little streets of my neighborhood never looked more refreshing. It’s the weekend, well after this work day. Time to rest and relax from a crazy, hectic week.

Basket of Promises

May my basket forever be open before you, Lord! I want to be close to the Fruit Giver and catch His ripe blessings. Fill the basket of my life with the fruitfulness of your promises!

SPERRY Laguna Style

Just ordered these little gems. Look out beach, here I come: in 6-7 days of course. Got to wait for shipping and handling. SPERRY Laguna style. Looked all over the Washington, DC area for these. But ended up buying them online at Shoe Carnival.

Thank a Police Officer Today

With all the hype this morning surrounding the manhunt for the Boston Bombers, it is easy to forget that a service man was killed – in the line of fire. He was protecting his community and murdered by the hands of hate. If you pass a police officer today, please – remember to thank him or her for their service. 

This event reminds us, even more so, that the first responders are the most courageous.There is also another police officer in the hospital. Pray for his recovery.

Lord, we pray for your healing hands to be on him. And, we pray that you guide the surgeon's hands and that he makes a full recovery. We pray his family feels your comfort and strength, and that your power prevails. Amen. 

West, Texas

So much suffering. When will it end? I just wrote a post about praying for the people of Boston – now, we learn of another tragedy – a fertilizer plant explosion in West, Texas. My heart breaks for the people of this community. As a Baylor graduate, I spent lots of time in West – known to the Baylor students for their wonderful kolaches. The World Famous Czech Stop is open and running this morning – feeding the people and first responders in the area. 

World Famous Czech Stop

Let us lift up this community in our prayers today. I pray that God’s hands of healing and comfort will ease so many broken hearts and minds today. Tragedy happens, but we know – it will not triumph. Amen. 

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Standing with Boston by Kneeling in Prayer

When tragedy strikes, it’s easy to question God. Why did this happen? Why do innocent people and children have to die? Why is evil prevalent in this world? 

I find myself asking all these questions. I asked them when more than two thousand Americans perished in 2001 at the hands of hate. I asked them when beautiful children were murdered in Connecticut this year. I asked them just today – when a 15 year old boy committed suicide at a Texas high school. 

Evil is alive on this earth. And, it rears its ugly head every single day. 

As a Christian, I believe that evil originates from the “evil one.” And, we read in John that he, in fact, is the “ruler of this earth.” And, the only thing we can do to combat the evil one – is pray.

The posting on Gov. Mike Huckabee’s Facebook page, rings true –“Standing with Boston by kneeling in prayer.” Let us come together as one – in Christ – and lift up the people of Boston. 

Gov. Mike Huckabee posted this touching poster on his Facebook page.

As of right now, we only know two of the victims’ names: Eight year-old, Martin Richard and 29 year-old, Krystle Campbell. May the prayers of our hearts go up for their families and loved ones! We ask that God places his hands of comfort upon them during this time and the tough days ahead. 

Also – we must pray for the 170+ people who are dealing with serious injuries such as amputations, shrapnel wounds and much more. We pray that God will ease their pain. That he will guide the hands of the surgeons and sew up their lesions with little to no damage. We pray for full recoveries.

A verse that I cling to is Jeremiah 17:16. It states,

“I have not run away from being your shepherd; you know I have not desired the day of despair. What passes my lips is open before you.” 

God does not desire suffering. In fact, I know, he is weeping over all the pain in Boston. He loves mankind. He died not just for one, but all. He made Martin and Krystle. They were fashioned by his hands. 

May the hearts of the broken be comforted with God’s unfailing love! And may the evil hands who carried out such an act of malevolence be brought to justice!