I felt awful sitting here in silence, but the devastation of thousands rocks me to to a stunned silence.
There's a song by Ingrid Michaelson:
"People are dying,
I close my blinds.
...I want to change the world,
instead,
I sleep".
That's me.I close my blinds.
...I want to change the world,
instead,
I sleep".
When things are too big, too painful to comprehend,
I hide my head under my covers and seek escape.
Even so, it always manages to find me
and eventually so does the expression from E. Burke,
“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”
My God, the God I know, has been slandered.
By a man who claims to speak in His behalf.
Because He is not here to defend Himself and since I'm busy wordlessly hiding (hoping time will reverse and the horrible devastation in Haiti will have never occurred) will you take a minute to see what Chris has to say about it?
I think he is a brilliant spokesperson and would be honoured to have him represent me in any slander case.
May God Bless the people in Haiti, the people trying to desperately get aid to Haiti, the leaders making decisions regarding Haiti and may He soften the hearts of the small-minded people who are still busy judging Haiti.
Addendum: I understand that remarks made by one individual regarding a curse upon Haiti was his way of asking people to pray that they would use this tragedy to turn to God. Those comments could be twisted any which way a reporter would choose to quote them. I understand that and did watch the original statement in it's entirety.
My post is in regards to the God some people believe in and the one I believe in. The post by Chris will make that clear, but in case you don't click on that link, I thought it should be mentioned.
The tragedy in Haiti is beyond belief and, in my opinion, so was Robertson's comments about it. I second your opinion expressed in the paragraph before your addendum.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Great post.
ReplyDeleteWow! What can I say. I have watched the reports come in on the devastation and I am saddned and hurt and heart broken.
ReplyDeleteI feel helpless because I wish there was something significant I could do to help. I want to fix this and I can't.
The devestation is heart rending. It is NOT a test for Haiti- it's a test for the REST of the world. Who are we and what do we REALLY believe? How do we really give and serve "the least of these, my bretheren". Pat's not doing so well on that score.
ReplyDeleteTrying to find the words. It is so hard for me when it comes to tragedies. I have a friend who once told me, "Do what your Father would expect of you and then trust that He knows those that are suffering and that he loves them." I keep trying to remember those words so I do not become overwhelmed with grief.
ReplyDeleteI think what that "man" was probably most worried about was that folks would donate to Haiti and not to fill his own pockets, or the pockets of his organization.
ReplyDeleteAnd to the "gent" who said that the US already donates to Haiti, and it's called income tax - I think that was just out of spite.
It's just a shame that these individuals have control of the airways to push their message to millions - they should have contacted ME, I could have typed it up for them in my blog and affected almost nobody.
The events in Haiti are absolutely heartbreaking. It's so hard to watch. As for PR, you are right, he speaks for no one, certainly not god.
ReplyDeleteYour sentiment here captured my feelings entirely. You know, even if the people of Haiti, somewhere in the vague and foggy past had brought this upon themselves (I'm not saying, nor do I believe, that they did), what would our role be today?
ReplyDeleteTo further condemn them?
I'm pretty sure that that's high upon the list of things that God frowns upon. "Judge not, lest ye be judged" has a familiar ring to it.
If God is responsible for anything here, it is providing a way for some of his more fortunate children to help their brothers and sisters, in a time of great suffering. God does not cause the suffering, He helps to provide the healing.
Well said. And ditto to Chris. Prayers are ongoing. So is collecting for the relief that will be needed for a long time to come.
ReplyDeleteI've never felt the need to "defend" God, because he's God - the all powerful,knowing and just. I'm just a human muddling through life hopefully in the right direction. He doesn't need my sword or pen. When I get to heaven, he'll straighten me out on the details.
ReplyDeleteAs a matter of fact, I bet he's making a note right now for Mr. Robertson and sending it through the Holy Spirit, right to his conscience in the middle of the night...because this can't wait.
I have been out of the bloggy world for a while (for similar reasons maybe to yours) but I'm glad I read this, and Chris's post too. I feel exactly the same way.
ReplyDeleteSuffering does not come from God. This is the world we live in. It is not perfect. Tragedies happen. We can make it through the tragedies because of God. And our suffering always serves a purpose.
I like what Chris said, and I agree. Can Pat find another planet to live on, please?
Great post Jeri, and great link to a great post!!
ReplyDeleteHey - on a completely different topic, Crazy Mama's status was just something brilliant that I thought you might want to try. She had her toddler on her shoulders while she was at the computer. She knew where the little trouble maker was while she was online. I thought maybe you and Miss Ky might like to bond that way? I'm guessing it's good for posture. :)
ReplyDeleteI've been staying away from the media. I feel the loss for those people there but resent when the media gets involved but I do need to remember that quote...the doing nothing as an evil act.
ReplyDeleteI had wondered if God would be brought into it. And while I don't hold specific religious views, I can step back and see that harsh times befall the world and that doesn't necessarily refute God. We all live and die. It is the way. Let's just see that while we are here we are all the same and all deserve love and care, each other's AND God's.
xo
erin
Pat Robertson has a particular disease known only to the Holier-Than-Thou religious zealots. Not to mention, he's getting on in years & probably losing his mind. (duh) I have never understood this kind of blind ignorance, nor will I ever tolerate it. I think perhaps someone needs to get poor Pat a muzzle, yes?
ReplyDelete