Sunday, January 17, 2010

Haiti

Friday, an eighth grade girl in my class lost her cool, angry at a fellow classmate and threw a chair. It hit me in the shins as I stepped between the two girls, and all I could think about during the ensuing interview with the safety officer and principal was flying walls and furniture that break legs.

Saturday, I wiped and scrubbed new-flooring-construction dust from every windowsill, picture frame, baseboard and corner in my house, and all I could think about was piles of concrete dust laying caked over bodies and rubble.

Sunday, I sat in my cushy recliner, enjoying my morning coffee, watching rainwater lazily drip from branch after branch of the tree outside my un-shattered window. I closed my eyes, Bible open in my lap, and prayed that like drops of rain, peace and supernatural comfort would seep into dry dusty land, hearts, and broken bodies on a tiny, oft-forgotten island.

Why? Why? Everyone wants to ask why? Children, babies, grandmothers, sons, fathers... why?

John 9
1 As Jesus walked along, he saw a man who had been blind since birth. Jesus' disciples asked, "Teacher, why was this man born blind? Was it because he or his parents sinned?"
"No, it wasn't!" Jesus answered. "But because of his blindness, you will see God work a miracle for him. As long as it is day, we must do what the one who sent me wants me to do. When night comes, no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light for the world."

Oh Lord, let us see you work a MIRACLE for Haiti and her people.

4 comments:

Jeanine said...

Erin, this is beautiful. Praying this prayer with you. (And one for your shin...)

Sarah Jackson said...

Pat Robertson needs to read your blog. And I did too. Thanks.

Angela said...

Beautiful. I, too, find that I think of Haiti in the midst of my normal actions --- feeling mounds of guilt as I sit on my comfy couch and watch the coverage of Haiti. My heart aches for His people...thank you for reminding me that HE can work a miracle in this.

Unknown said...

SJ- I may have had a certain Mr. Robertson in mind when I wrote this. :) Thanks J and Ang! Kind words from you friends.

Simile Metaphor Collection

Elijah after running: My heart is beating like a coconut rolling down a hill.
Elijah on urination: Pee is like horses galloping out of the gate. Once they get started you just can't stop them.
Elijah: If school were a human I'd give it a wedgie.
Elijah: I am like a hot rod and I just want to be a plain old Ford
Elijah on the fruits of the spirit: I've got them all covered except self-control. Its like a tiny green tomato and the rest are all big ripe ones. Especially love. Its like the biggest tomato we saw in the garden tonight.