Now for the understatement of the week: Phew, it's been a harrowing one.
Harrowing is just one way to describe the sudden and violent deaths of two Canadian soldiers. Other words could include, but not be limited to, horrific, shocking and appalling. Oh yes, and stunning in the most negative of connotations because somehow I never thought it would happen here.
Politics is notoriously dirty business whether it be in a federal, municipal or an organizational setting. My desire is that Parliament's brief atmosphere of conciliation and empathy would miraculously continue. Even as I wrote the preceding sentence I was reminded of a quote I recently read, "If you want a miracle you have to begin with an impossible situation." It seems we've met that condition, but what's next? Where do we go from here?
My personal conviction is that I need to pray for every MP of every political persuasion as they deal with the stress of last week's events. Everyone has the right to their own convictions but our differences should never exclude our elected officials from our prayers during this time of grief, anger and pain. It is, in fact, a Biblical imperative and it's something I can do.
"I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence." (1 Timothy 2: 1-2)
Equally important are the people around us who are in need of the ministry of compassion and support. Their pain may not be public and might never attract the attention of the media but they long for people who genuinely care.
"Bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2)
In praying and loving, God blesses.
