Because the news is crazy again today, and, it seems, every day, I'm reposting Comfort Ye My People, Day 16.
Glory To God Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (Luke 2: 14)
(You can listen here.)
After the events at Sandy Hook, of beautiful children being senselessly murdered on a normal day at school, I wasn't quite sure how to think or write about glory to God and peace on earth.
Evil seems so big and ugly, and peace so far away.
I came across this quote from Mr. Rogers on Facebook: “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of ‘disaster,’ I remember my mother’s words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world.”
And the more I think about that, the more that seems to be how God brings peace to earth. A baby in a manger. Who grew up to walk around, laying his healing hands on bleeding women and broken children.
No legislation.
No weapons in return.
Just love and healing in his hands.
While the Sandy Hook tragedy was happening, I was doing my volunteer thing. That morning, a foster mom came in with two little boys who were just entering her care. As she waited to see the doctor, she told me a little bit about the boys' birth families. Prostitution, drug abuse, HIV.
I watched this mom, obviously engaged with these little boys, loving them. And I saw good will toward these two little ones, who came into the world with brokenness and evil all around them, and then found someone with love to give.
The world breaks my heart.
And then I see this lady.
Nobody will know her name or talk about her on the news. But because she helps, every day, these boys will grow up with love and kindness instead of abuse. She brings peace on earth, one juice box at a time.
Mr. Rogers would approve.
But more than that, she follows the example of our Father in heaven, love and healing in her hands.
Wherever we find ourselves today, whatever the disaster around us, let us be the helpers, the healers, the lovers of light.