Fragility and Resiliency

I was thinking in light of yesterday's sad news how the human body is both resilient and fragile all at the same time. These are very opposite properties (it reminds me a little of the light/particle discussion I posted a few months ago). I think of Helena and how her little body went through so many medical procedures and rebounded quite well. Then it was over, and they don't know exactly know why. Her heart and lungs seemed to be functioning fine independently, but somehow she wasn't able to maintain high enough blood O2 levels. I imagine that God decided she had endured enough, and He took her home.

His ways are not our ways

Today is a sad day for my mother's side of the family. My cousin's 19-month-old daughter died of a cardiac arrest a couple days after she had undergone a seemingly successful heart surgery. Although I never met little Helena, she looked like a little sweetheart in photos (see her blog). I talked to my cousin (her mother) today and was moved with compassion for her and her husband. I was reminded that our Father in Heaven knows what it is like to see his Son die, and He will help them through their grief.

I must remember that God has a plan through it all even if we can't see and understand it. It is at times like this where all I can do is lean on the fact that God is good, and He will never leave or forsake His children.

So Much Sadness

Again violence has struck innocent people in America. Two senseless shootings within a week is beyond comprehension. First the shootings in a mall in Omaha, NE and then the shootings in Colorado at a YWAM base and at a church. My heart goes out to the people directly affected by these heinous acts. May the Lord turn what was meant for evil into good. Only He can do that.

Tragedy at Virginia Tech

I have been very affected by the recent tragedy at Virginia Tech. I had actually met one of the professors who was killed. Two years ago, I interviewed there for a post-doc position and possible faculty position. The interview was a full day, so I met with many faculty members. I toured the lab of Kevin Granata and talked to him about his research. He was a very nice man who was doing some great research. I took some brief notes from that day, and one thing that I noted about Dr. Granata was that he had taken time out of his schedule to meet with me even though he had a grant application due the next day. I may have also met one of the other professors who was killed on Monday.

I was offered a post-doc position at a lab in the building next to where the shooting occurred, but I didn't accept it because I felt like I was to stay in Seattle. The thought that I could have been there makes me think. How would I have reacted? What would I have done? My first thought is "I am glad I wasn't there." Not just because I could have been killed--"For to me to live is Messiah and to die is gain"--but because it would be such a trauma to witness something like that. The grief must be overwhelming for those who knew the victims well.

I think about the real possibility that some of the people who were killed did not know the Lord as their Savior. That makes me very sad. I saw the webpage of one of the victims who said that Jesus was the love of her life. She is in a better place now. I pray that through this tragedy many people will turn to the Lord and be saved through Jesus the Messiah who offers eternal life to all who call on Him.

May we all be ready to meet the Lord when our time on this earth is ended.

Grief

Grief is such a strange thing. This year I have been reminded of one year ago when my cousin died. I have been wondering why I have been so moody lately, but realizing that this is the anniversary of her death has helped me to get a handle on what I am feeling. It is strange how we can be grieving subconciously, but conciously be unaware of it.

It is difficult to understand how such a tragic and devastating event like that can happen. The one thing I have to remember is that God is good. He does not want to harm us or see us in despair--He wants to give us hope and a future.