It's often hard to find words to adequately address devastating events. As many have already said, the Boston Marathon has always been a symbol of vitality and the conquering nature of the human spirit, and Monday's bombings wreacked havoc on what should have been an intensely joyful occasion.
Whenever my family went on trips when I was young, I would always ask my mom what would happen if the plane crashed. Her response was, "If the plane starts to fall, don't be afraid. We'll look for Jesus. He'll be there."
In the midst of Monday's terrifying chaos, I think we saw him. He was there in all of the policemen and paramedics. He was there with the doctors who saved injured victims moments from death. He was there across country, reminding us that regardless of politics, we are one nation, under God, indivisible, and we stand together in the face of evil. He was there in the outpouring of support in the aftermath - through the prayers, the offers of shelter, the hugs, the innumerable simple gestures of kindness.
Perhaps it's odd, but Monday left me feeling incredibly blessed. While the bombings were indescribably horrific and the loss was tremendous, we need to remember to be thankful that we live in a place where this type of event is the exception, not the norm. We have the support, medicine, and spirit not only to recover, but to thrive in the face of disaster and persevere despite the atrocity. We have a nation united against a common threat. We are surrounded by beloved families, friends, and communities, which give us the resources to carry on. The evil of the event is so overwhelmingly outweighed by the blessing that I can only stop, breathless, and praise God for his presence in the center of the storm.
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