Praying for Tuscon, AZ Community

My computer was down all last week and I spent much of last night and today (after church) catching up on some CT responsibilities. There is much I could blog about but only one thing keeps coming to my mind again and again and that is the community of Tuscon, AZ.

Yesterday, this community was brought to its' knees when a gunman opened fire at the Safeway grocery store where Congresswoman, Gabrielle Giffords, was hosting a public event called Congress On The Corner. Six people lost their lives including a 9 year old girl. A little girl who was born the day one of this country's most memorable tragedies.....9/11. I find it so incredibly hard not to think of the fact she came in to this world on a day filled with violence and left this world in yet another act of violence.

Briefly watching the news coverage yesterday has left me recalling the event that took place in my church in 2009. An event that made world news as well. While everyone reacts differently during times like this and everyone has their own feelings I can say without a doubt that I know a little of what the Tuscon residents are going through tonight. Right now they are probably still numb and in shock. They are gathering together..........uniting..........drawing strength from each other as they try to sort out their emotions. Over the next few weeks as news stations move on to other headlining events, this town and everyone affected are still going to be in some stage of grief. It will be a very long time, maybe years, before a sense of normalcy is regained for many. However, never again will they be the same. You just can't remain the same person when evil comes so close and leaves behind his destruction.

However, we can overcome the pain and sorrow....the loss of security....the sense of hopelessness. Through Christ we can overcome it all. My prayer is in the words of this song by Fee. A song with lyrics inspired by the event of March 8, 2009. I pray as everything has fallen apart for these families that they have the hope that is in Christ Jesus....that they allow Him to provide them strength to carry on.



EVERYTHING FALLS
Fee
You saidyou'd never leave or forsake me
when you said,
this life is gonna shake me
and you said
this world is gonna bring trouble on my soul
this I know

Chorus:
when everything falls apart
your arms hold me together
when everything falls apart
you're the only hope for this heart
when everything falls apart
and my strength is gone
I find you mighty and strong
you keep holding on
you keep holding on

when I see
darkness all around me
when I see
that tragedy has found me
I still believe
your faithful arms will never let me go
and still I know

Chorus:
when everything falls apart
your arms hold me together
when everything falls apart
you're the only hope for this heart
when everything falls apart
and my strength is gone
I find you mighty and strong
you keep holding on
you keep holding on

Bridge:
Sorrow will last for the night
but hope is rising with the sun
(it’s rising with the sun)
and there will be storms in this life
but I know you have overcome
You have overcome

Chorus:
when everything falls apart
your arms hold me together
when everything falls apart
you're the only hope for this heart
when everything falls apart
and my strength is gone
I find you mighty and strong
you keep holding on

Chorus:
when everything falls apart
your arms hold me together
when everything falls apart
you're the only hope for this heart
when everything falls apart
and my strength is gone
I find you mighty and strong
you keep holding on
you keep holding on