Thursday, January 14, 2010

What do you even begin to say?

Yesterday I posted a status on my Facebook along the lines of “Whenever you think you have it rough today, say a prayer for Haiti.”

I received a comment to this that kind of left me not knowing what to say:

You would be DISGUSTED at the vile things people are saying on this video from the American Red Cross about Haiti and the people there. The ones posting such comments are themselves inhuman... Pray and donate, that's all I can say (yes, I'm an atheist, so I just donated :)

This crushed me. Absolutely just crushed me.

I admit, I have lived in a very safe little and naïve bubble. I’ve been surrounded by church, grew up in church. I trusted and believed in the Lord at a very young age.

But sadly, I was reminded that there are people out there for one reason or another that don’t believe.

When I read this I wanted to respond so bad, but just didn’t know the words to say. I had a million things going around in my mind, but to put it to words, I struggled.

In my mind I was screaming..

“ He Loves you, don’t you know that and he has scars to prove it.”
“Just have faith and believe and trust in your creator.”
“Don’t you know where you’re going to spend eternity?”


But truly and honestly, what do you say to a person who claims to be an atheist and doesn’t believe in the creator of the heavens and the earth? Doesn’t believe in the very one who sacrificed his life so we might have eternal life with him.

For people who don’t believe it’s hard for them to understand why Earthquakes which kill and change the lives of millions of people happen. Hard to understand why events of September 11th occurred. Or maybe it’s a situation that is going on in their own life that leave them with doubts and questions and they are getting no answers. They’re asking why would God allow this? Doesn’t he love me? Doesn’t he love them? And they’re not getting answers because they're looking in all the wrong places.

And all the while we’re saying God have mercy on us, draw near to us and be close to us and we know you’re still a sovereign God.

We know and believe in the power of prayer, but yet there are those who mock prayer and believe it’s just an utterance of words with no power behind it.

And there’s so much more I could say to elaborate on this, but I have to ask, what do you even begin to say?

P.S.

This article on the earthquake along with pictures will bring you to your knees.

I wanted to mention that my good friend Danielle at "The Design Girl" is doing a wonderful thing to help benefit the relief efforts for Haiti. Please go by and check it out.

Also, if anyone of you didn't know you can text "DISASTER" to 90999 to donate $10 to Compassion or you can text "HAITI" to 90999 and donate $10 to the Red Cross.

Thanks!!

15 comments:

Amber said...

Today I have so many things to say, yet I'm speechless and it seems the only person I can put these feelings into words for is God. It's inspiring to see you put your feelings into words, esecially when you're at a stance for the Lord our Savior! We don't know how lucky we have sometimes, do we? :) Thank you, God!!

Rebecca Jo said...

All you can do is love people like that - athiest who are living in a dark world... you have to set the example - be the Jesus that they dont know...

Summer said...

I am just speechless at to what some people are saying....I to have always grown up from a baby knowing the lord and instill that in my family and my little girl!

I found your blog through Katie's Keepers.... I love it....I am going to follow you....

Oh and I donated via text message last night when I seen Kelly's post and I put a link on my blog too!
Summer :0)

Whitney said...

People never cease to be hateful and dispicable...even in the midst of unspeakable tragedy. Thankfully, no matter what God is present.
Love you!

Niki said...

It is so hard to know what to say! I think the only thing we can do is show them God's love through our own actions and continue to offer God's word as hope to them. Try to walk in the light of Jesus!!

Katie @ Loves of Life said...

I hear your heart for the lost crying through in this...

lots of love

Annie said...

you are setting the right example. love you for that. some people just don't understand.

the law firm that i work for is matching any donations we make up to $25,000....i hope some of the wealthy people around here donate. i know how important donations are.

Unknown said...

I just finished reading the article and looking at the photos. Thank you for posting the link. To be honest , I have not seen much coverage the past few days mainly because I havent been online as much and I rarely watch tv.
I agree that it is so hard for those who dont believe to understand why these things happen. I am so thankful for God's presence no matter what!

Vic said...

All we can do is continue to pray for those who are hurting. Both within the country of hati and the others. May God's love pour over each of them.

Anonymous said...

Love your blog!! I came across it while blog hopping...ha...love meeting new people on here! I'm now following yours!

Alissa said...

All we can do here is continue to pray for those who have lost so much. Send what we can and keep them in our hearts. I thank God everyday for what we do have here and my husband I are continuing to keep them in mind.

Amy said...

I too was raised in church... I have taught in church from a very young age. It is always hard to know what to say without pushing someone farther away, someone who doesn't believe. Prayer is our most powerful tool. Only HE can make them a true believer! May God Bless you! It takes people like you who care enough to be concerned!

Heather said...

It's heart breaking to think about people not believing. Keep encouraging, praying, and loving them. Plant the seeds honey, God will use you.

In This Wonderful Life said...

the situation in Haiti breaks my heart! I can't watch anything about it without breaking down. Praying for everyone there and for help to get to them all!

sandra said...

Two weeks ago, someone on my Facebook posted this on their status: http://img131.yfrog.com/i/45461790.jpg/

I couldn't believe it. I'm ok with everyone having their own opinion, everyone's entitled to it, but wow.