A Light in the Darkness

My daughter and I were talking about the explosions that struck Beirut on August 4th, killing 154 people, wounding over 5,000, with 120 still in critical condition on Friday. 300,000+ are now homeless. Lebanon's president, Michel Aoun, said that 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate caused the explosions. The Port of Beirut was destroyed. Windows were blown out two miles from the explosion. Losses are estimated to be $10-$15 billion.
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Our hearts go out to the precious people of Lebonan who suffered the loss of their homes, suffered physically and are mourning the loss of loved ones. As awful as the devastation was -- a video and photos covered social media and the airways of the beautiful Lebanese bride, Dr. Israa Seblani, who was smiling and posing in her long white gown and veil when the scene was shattered by the horrific roar and shockwave.

I watched the video with certain angst of her being photo’d and video-graphed because the report had already come to us about the blasts. The interruption was shocking, yet I saw a “light in the darkness” as she was interviewed. Seblani, a doctor who works in the U.S., said later, "There are no words to explain. I was shocked and wondered what happened, am I going to die?”

According to Reuters, she attended to several wounded people in the area before ultimately seeking safety for herself. [On a personal note, I’m thinking that those she attended to must have thought, in her white array of beauty, that she was an angel.] Reuter’s captured her words: “The one thing I said was ‘Praise be to God, we’re still alive. I thank God for protecting us. I was so sad for what happened to people – what happened to Lebonan. God have mercy on those who were killed and the wounded. Also, I want to look at us, myself, my husband, and the photographer there with us – how we escaped unharmed. I thank God for protecting us. This makes me feel always optimistic and say thank God and keep the joy.”

We pray for the beautiful people of Lebonan and all who have suffered. Still, there is always a light that brings hope in the darkest times and darkest hours. It is reassuring for us in our great country -- in the midst of difficulty, of tragedy, of discomfort, of pain, of insecurity, of loss, if we keep our eyes and ears open (and don’t listen to the naysayers, the doubters, the doomsday-plot-givers, the sky-is-falling chickens), we will always find those who are bright lights in the darkness. Oh, how I want to be like that bride who shines so brightly in the darkest hours.

As I embraced this story, I thought about this scripture: “Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear” (Rev 19:7-8) As the members of Christ’s Church, we are encouraged to be faithful and be ready, waiting with anticipation for the glorious day when we will be united with Jesus and live in harmony with Him as His beloved bride. That makes me want to live praising Him, as did this Lebanese bride – giving Him the honor, the glory and the praise in the dark and in the light-bright days of our lives.

Here Comes the Bride Taking Baby Steps

Last week I introduced Ricky, an orthopedic technologist (puts casts on children’s arms, hands or legs) at Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. Ricky inspired me once again this week.

After putting a cast on a teenager's leg, here came Ricky coaching him how to walk with his new crutches: “Easy. Slow down. Take little steps. One of these days you’re going to get married. You’ll be standing at the front waiting for your bride to come to you. You’re wanting her to hurry but she’s taking baby steps. That’s what I want you to do. Take baby steps.”

Hello, Inspiration! As I watched and listened, I wished that teenager really captured Ricky's training moment -- beyond the careful attention of how to use and walk with crutches.

My expanded version saw this: The beautifully adorned bride is radiant in her magnificent wedding gown she dreamed of and searched long for. Today she makes her debut to her waiting groom and those in attendance. The groom is anxiously waiting to welcome her at the altar, BUT, she’s taking what seems FOREVER to come down that aisle. He’s thinking “Hurry! Let’s get this show on the road!” But, oh no! Of all things, she’s taking baby steps and thinking: “This is my moment!" She's taking it all in. She’s wanting all eyes on her. She’s admiring her family and friends who have come to celebrate this joyous occasion. She’s gazing with pride at her lovely bridesmaids, striking groomsmen, the darling flower girl, and spunky ringbearer. She’s not missing a thing. She is in the moment because THIS MOMENT will never be here again. Eventually, she arrives at her destination, to her handsome, beaming, soon-to-be husband who makes the momentous journey down the aisle so worth it.

And, because I was in the moment – taking in the lesson Ricky was giving to his patient, I can share with you how important it is for us to take baby steps, too! We are usually in such a hurry to get to our destination that we go turbo-mode, never taking in the beauty of the journey. Ralph Waldo Emerson said “Life is a journey. Not a destination.”

Far too many of us put off what really matters – enjoying family and friends, listening to conversations that can inspire us, nurturing relationships, forgiving enemies, experiencing peace, praying, and enjoying life. The key to real peace in our lives is focusing on enjoying the journey, focusing on what's really important, and taking the time to “smell the roses". Discovering a mindset that allows us to pursue big things without sacrificing the “little things” that make life worth living.

Ricky said, “Slow down! Take baby steps!” Donna says “Slow down. Smell the roses. Kiss a baby. Hug a friend. Listen to laughter. Watch your child's sports game (phone-free). Write a love letter. Take time to smile and say “Have a great day!” to a co-worker or neighbor. Make a difference in someone on your way to where you’re going! Take baby steps!

Jeremiah 2:25 "Slow down. Take a deep breath. What's the hurry? Why wear yourself out? Just what are you after anyway?”

The Wedding Video That Went Viral

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Day 153 of Photo Inspirations -- The Wedding Photo That Went Viral   

Having a God-centered marriage was the key to our 44-years of wedded bliss -- well, it wasn't ALL bliss -- there were tough times, disappointments, struggles and challenges.....but even so, because we founded our marriage on the foundation God and His Word -- making Him our central focus, we weathered the storms, overcame the hurdles and were actually able to say we had wedded bliss.

When I saw this Saturday wedding photo on Facebook of a Marine and his bride posted by their North Carolina photographer, it made my heart leap for joy. U.S. Marine Corps Corporal Caleb Earwood and his bride, Maggie, wanted to keep the tradition of not seeing each other before their wedding, but they did want to pray together. "They put their hands around the wall and then he started crying. And when he started crying, she started crying. And then everybody in the room started crying. And then I almost started crying." So explains the man who took the wedding photo now seen around the world. "I felt it's right that we should have said a prayer, I asked God to protect us, to help us," Cpl. Earwood said.

The picture has now captured the hearts of people around the country. There are thousands of likes and shares on Facebook. "I've had a lot of people message me and say, 'In today's world, thank you for showing this is the way it should be,'" Schmidt (the photographer) said.

I was so blessed to see this precious couple and the desire they had for putting God first in their marriage. They knew what they needed most: the blessing of God.

Shouldn't the desires of that young couple be our desires, too? We need to seek God before each new day begins and then all through the day. When we live our lives independently of God -- it shows an attitude of "self sufficiency". Self reliance instead of God-reliance is part and parcel of the reason for so many of our failings. Seeing this young couple's dependence on God at the onset of their marriage certainly shows their desire to rely on He Who instituted marriage in the first place. Just as a home needs a firm foundation to last, the same goes for us. We need to be firmly planted on an unmovable source to outlast the storms of life. God is unchanging and immovable. If we build our foundation upon Him we, too, can be immovable and unshakeable.