This post was written a year ago today (July 8, 2016), but its message remains. 

Yesterday afternoon Jason and I sat in the lobby of the front office trying to get cell reception, being that the lobby is one of the only places in our campground to get it. We sat in two funky old red chairs facing the restaurant, about ten feet from the front door. There were a few others in the lobby trying, I assume, to get cell reception like we were.

A large ceramic pot that had been sitting on a bookshelf by the front door (probably for thirty years) crashed without warning on the tile floor.  Upon hearing the crash and bouncing shards of ceramic I looked around to see what happened.

No one had come in the front door causing a wind gust. There were no small children, or clumsy adults who had bumped into the shelf. I clearly couldn't reason why the pot had fallen and broken.

As quickly as I scanned the room trying to internally cast blame for the broken pot, I considered saying something aloud that made it clear that I hadn't done anything that would have caused this mess of broken pieces.

Not understanding what had happened, several of us got up out of our chairs and surrounded the brokenness . It didn't matter whether or not we did anything to cause the mess. We just came together and started picking up the pieces.

That's how messes are dealt with. Even the most tragic kind.

With limited cell reception I haven't been able to read the dozens of articles regarding the recent shooting death of two men by police nor do I have all the details on the fatalities of several of our "men in blue" yesterday.

I've heard enough to be brokenhearted. But I've also heard enough to have hope in such a dark time. Facebook is flooded with people who are surrounding the broken pieces. And instead of wasting precious moments sizing up blame, I'm witnessing those who are rallying together in prayer for people, all people.

I'm the world's worst at rolling my eyes lately when I hear a statement from the White House when tragedy strikes. I lament at how people in power have done little to help our current state of brokenness and division. I'm afraid I've forgotten where true power and healing lies.

...if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicle 7:14

America won't be fixed by proper gun legislation, electing the right candidate or by finding and punishing law breakers (not that those things aren't important). The condition of our nation lies on our shoulders. We're not innocent in these dark times.
God says healing comes through the humility, repentance and the prayer OF BELIEVERS. He's not as interested in political speeches, media coverage or popular opinion as He is our turning to seek him as the pieces fall.

I accept blame for standing by for too long pointing fingers rather than closing my hands in prayer. We spend too much time asking questions instead of looking to the Answer.
Change is in the air today. My hope is that it lasts through tomorrow and the next tragedy. May we never hesitate to get on our knees to pick up broken pieces.

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