How to deal with the tragedy all around us...

So lately, it seems as if everything on the news is tragic (not really surprising). Tragic deaths of children it seems are at the forefront and when you have kids its even worse. "Why God" tends to flood instantly into my mind. Why that baby or why that little girl. I just don't understand sometimes. It makes me want to hold onto my children and never let them go. There is no sweet anecdote or saying that can answer the why question. No matter how much I think about it no rhyme or reason can make it better. The reality is there is tragedy in life no matter what. That doesn't mean we live in fear of it or even expect it, but I think being surprised by it should wear off and it doesn't. Wishing that all people are good, all people want what's best. Wishing that people really lived by the golden rule. Wishing that people weren't so selfish that killing or hurting was their only option. In our world, acceptance has become such a huge thing, except everyone for who they are...I can't except someone who kills or hurts a child. This is me being completely honest. I told my husband a week ago after reading a story about the needless death of a little girl, "I hope they find whoever did this, and I hope they rot in jail and I hope that even if they find Jesus, they still rot in jail." This is not me being unforgiving, these are honest feelings from the heart of a mother. I honestly didn't even feel bad saying it. Usually I start to feel guilty, like I should love everyone no matter what, which I think is a common misconception when it comes to Christianity. There is nothing wrong with being angry or disgusted with stuff. Jesus was. So I think dealing with tragedy and pain and sorrow really comes down to being honest with yourself and honest with God. Trying to put expectations on how you should feel in different circumstances is unrealistic. If your angry, if your in pain, if you don't understand, its natural. I say cry out to God. You might not get an answer every time to the why question but there is a verse in scripture that our Pastor spoke from recently concerning this. 
Psalm 73:1-17, read the whole passage when you get the chance. It talks about all the bad stuff that the author is seeing around him. He doesn't understand the evil, he doesn't understand why God is allowing it, he is frustrated, but in verses 16 and 17 he finally comes to terms with it. 

When I tried to understand all this,

    it troubled me deeply, till I entered the sanctuary of God;

    then I understood their final destiny.

If we never even go to God we will constantly wonder why, but in His presence is peace and joy and hope. It might not all make sense but He is still there. So rest in knowing Him and if you don't know him today, take the time to talk to God, you might be surprised what happens in that sanctuary.

Proverbs 21:1

In the Lord’s hand the king’s heart is a stream of water

    that he channels toward all who please him.

I just want to start of this discussion on the debate last night by quoting this scripture. No matter what party you support or who you vote for, God is still in control. He directs the events going on around us, even if we don't acknowledge Him. Also I want to ask that negative comments and fighting will be avoided. This is my opinion and observations about the debate and I'm going to be as bipartisan as possible. I just want to start by saying that both candidates last night did very well, based on their backgrounds and knowledge. The president came in with an advantage based on all the information he knows. His job as Commander in Chief put him in a place to defend himself. Governor Mitt Romney, I felt was wise, he didn't bite off more than he could chew and didn't try to act like he knew more than the president. My biggest issue with the President's alluding to his accolades (Bin Laden, ending the wars, etc.) is that even with all these accomplishments, the world doesn't seem any safer. With the recent uprisings in the Middle East and his snubbing of Israel's President, I felt that he was candy coating, and trying to make it seem as if the world is better off now. This was the debate that President Obama actually excelled in because of his knowledge and based on this I would say he won. However, with the cover up on Libya and looming cuts to the defense budget, I doubt that the country will continue to be a strong presence in the world. So no matter what accomplishments have been made, we still have to vote for our future, for our safety, and we need to be confident in our leadership and at this point I'm not. As far as Mitt Romney goes, I was actually surprised that he didn't go more on the offensive with the president. Especially on Libya and what has been occurring there. He seemed to agree with the president on most of the foreign policy agenda of this administration. I did get the feel that Mitt Romney does value the military more based on his concerns about budget cuts. The fact that the president made a joke while Mitt Romney was expressing these concerns just seemed like he wasn't serious about this aspect of our foreign policy needs. Mitt Romney stuck with what he knew and didn't overstep by throwing out assumptions or trying to act as if he knew better than the president. I appreciated that he didn't make wild predictions about what he would do, because a lot of times candidates do that without knowing all the facts. To either party, both candidates did a good job from their  standpoints and so I don't really consider either a loser. I do have to say that the closing remarks of both men were very telling. So if you want to know where either man stands and really see the contrast, go back and listen to both of their closing statements. So, from now until the election day we have to vote our conscience, the needs of our country, and the safety of our land. Ultimately, God knows the end result. My comfort, no matter what the result or how strongly I believe, is that He leads the hearts of kings and His ultimate purpose will be accomplished.

 My thought for today originates from a conversation I had recently with one of my coworkers. She said to me in passing "hey if you want some lotion I brought some with me," she went on to explain that with all the dish washing and baby bottle cleaning on top of working at Outback her hands were so dry. The lotion for her was a reminder that she needed to take care of herself in the midst of taking care of everyone and everything else. As a mom, so often we put ourselves on the back burner. For me its waking up to three needy sons, getting two of them to school and then feeding and changing the baby. I sit down to do something for myself and then remember that I have 4 loads of laundry to do and a sink full of dishes. In the midst of all that,  my hands do get dry. My friend at work had a good point, sometimes you have to do something for yourself even if its something as simple as a little hand cream. This is not about being selfish its about remembering who you are in the midst of all that you are doing. So pick up a bottle of lotion ladies, it can be a spa moment in the midst of a busy life.

Welcome

So....I'm doing it. Here it is, my blog. For months a young friend of mine has said you should blog. She told me if I didn't she would do it for me. I want to start by telling you a little bit about me. I love Jesus with all my heart and this blog will probably in a lot of ways be a look at that huge part of my life. Everything really does flow out of that core.  I am a pastor's wife and a worship pastor. Translation : I sing and play the piano and lead the worship ministry at my church and I absolutely am in love with it. I have been married for 10 years as of today and out of that wonderful union my husband Bill and I have 3 amazing unique sons Caleb, Riley, and Carson.  I also work at Outback Steakhouse and believe me the anecdotes just from working there are enough to fill a separate blog. I'm extremely passionate about the USA which is why I titled my blog what I did. So expect a political rant now and then. For all those who venture into the crazy depths of my head through this blog, welcome.