The older I get and the more kids I have, the tenderer my heart gets toward the plight of the hurting.

Don’t get me wrong.

I’ve never been one to gloat in others’ suffering, but I’m a “fairness” girl, and that strong sense of justice and balance doesn’t lend itself naturally to compassion.

It does tend toward thought patterns like, “She got herself into that mess. She should just suck it up and get herself right back out again.”

{Never mind that when I’ve gotten myself into a pickle, I sure do want other people to feel sorry for me…maybe I’m not as all-about-fairness as I thought}

god is good-001

How attractive (and Christian) of me, right?

But more and more, I find myself understanding the meaning of the phrase, “It makes my heart hurt…”

Before I had kids, I could hear about tragedies involving young children and think, “How sad,” (and mean it), but at least a sliver of my emotions was never fully engaged.

Now, I hear about a child suffering, and my stomach clenches like a fist, while bile rises in my throat. And, it’s true—my heart feels a literal squeeze of pain.

But it’s not just the young and helpless that get to me now. Tragedies just hit me harder than they used to because I automatically think things like, “What if that were my child?”

So, when I heard about the young gunman who walked into the movie theater in Colorado Friday morning and took the lives of 12 people and injured dozens of others, I felt…bereft.

And angry.

And it wasn’t because I personally knew anyone in that theater.

It was just so wrong. And sad. And sick.

The most twisted part to me was the fact that he released some sort of gas bomb before he started shooting.  I haven’t heard anyone say that this was the reason, but I can’t help but think that he set the bomb off so that he could get people out of their seats since it’s a lot easier to pick off your prey when it’s running around in a blind panic instead of sitting down, protected by seat backs.

Ugh.

I was talking to my husband (who’s still in California) about it on the phone later that day, and I said something like, “What kind of place do we live in that anyone would do such a thing?”

His answer?: “Earth.”

And it’s so true.

Every single day, atrocities like that shooting and worse (if there are degrees of such things) happen in every corner of this fallen planet.

And it just made me feel so defeated. So…sorrowful for the state of humanity.

But then, today, after a hectic morning (8 AM BODYCOMBAT launch practice + teaching 9 AM BODYPUMP on an almost empty stomach + a $6 smoothie that was supposed to help my shaking muscles recover that instead got dumped all over the van’s floorboard {it got replaced} + an ill-advised Goodwill run with a very tired toddler), I found myself at Sam’s with a basketful of groceries and nothing with me to pay for them (I sometimes forget to bring the credit card they accept with me when I go).

My hips were aching as I hauled Della out to the van for my checkbook, and I couldn’t help but feel a bit embarrassed by all the pitying glances as I hobbled my way out into the 98+ degree weather, looking very pregnant and, well, yes, pitiable.

Somewhere in the sweaty slog from the store to the car and back, Della fell asleep on my shoulder, and before long, her head had slipped down to my chest, and the entire weight of her little body was slumped against my belly.

When I got back inside, for one brief moment, I had a horrible sinking feeling that someone had taken my basket because I didn’t see it right away.  So, the relief I felt when I did locate it less than 10 feet away from where I’d left it was acute.

I made a beeline for the checkout, prompting several, “Bless your hearts” (it’s Texas after all) and, “She’s just plumb worn out, isn’t she?” (were they talking about Della or me?) along the way.

I tried to smile, but I was on a mission: get the heck out of Dodge.

So, when I rounded the corner—dragging my oversized basket behind me with one hand—and one wheel struck the pallet I was trying to maneuver around, the frustration I felt was considerably more acute than the relief from two minutes before.

A lady in the adjoining line apologized profusely for being in my way, and I’m sorry to admit that I felt a flash of irritation because she was in no way blocking my path, and I felt like she was patronizing and feeling sorry for me because of the sleeping toddler/big belly combo.

(My annoyance quickly turned to shame when she helped me dislodge my wheel).

Now, some people are good at asking for help. (In a positive way…I’m not talking about “mooching”).

I’m not really one of them.

I can be climbing the gym stairs with three bags and a toddler, plus two other littles trailing me, and, 7 times out of 10, I’ll still try to open the door by myself even if there’s someone else around.

I’m not bragging.

I actually think this response is a fairly prideful and ungracious one, and it’s something I’m working to get better at—this whole letting others help me thing.

But, in this case, I was “plumb worn out,” physically and emotionally, and I was so focused on how to get my membership card out of my wristlet (which was, of course, attached to the arm holding Della) that I didn’t notice a lady standing at my elbow at first

 

And then I heard her say, “Could we help you put your things on the belt?”

 

 

 

And my knee jerk response was, “No, thank you.”

But something—the Holy Spirit?—kept those words from tumbling out of my mouth, and instead, I said, “That would be great.”

Before I could even think why, tears were stinging the backs of my eyes, which, if you know me at all, is not how I usually roll. And I felt a stab of panic that the already-to-be-pitied, pregnant, toddler-holding (thank goodness the boys weren’t with me!) mama was going to complete the image of harried helplessness and start blubbering right there in the Sam’s checkout line.

I kept my head down and concentrated on pulling things out of my cart and myself back together. And I was doing a decent job of both until I thanked the woman’s husband, who was helping too (including extracting a large case of chicken broth from beneath the basket that would have been practically impossible for me to get to), and he said, “No problem. It’s what I would want someone to do for my wife.”

He didn’t know me, so he had no clue that my husband had been gone for two weeks, but somehow that made his simple paraphrase of Luke 6:31—which says, “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (or your wife, as the case may be)—all the more soothing of a balm to this frazzled mama’s heart.

I fought back tears of gratitude and humility (or whatever the correct noun for feeling humbled by something is) all the way to the van…right up until the guy rounding up the carts saw me struggling to strap sleeping Della—blankie and all—into her car seat and offered to load my groceries for me.

By that point, I had stopped caring about being pitied and was just grateful that I’d thought to bring my big, bug-eyed sunglasses with me because the tears were streaming down my cheeks.

I climbed in the driver’s seat and let the air-conditioning cool my hot face as I pretty much sobbed for the next 10 minutes—partly because I’m hormonal and haven’t gotten just tons of sleep this week and partly because I was so overwhelmed with thankfulness for a series of simple, yet profound acts of kindness.

The next thing I’m going to say is going to sound a tad sacrilegious, but at least let me explain before you grab your torch and pitchfork.

If, as Shakespeare claims, there is such a thing as “the milk of human kindness,” then I’m pretty sure that makes God the cow. 

After all, we are created in His image, and any capacity for love and selflessness comes from Him.

And I was privileged to witness that capacity several times today, a mere 36 hours after I had contemplated the senselessness of the deaths caused by another human being who had also been created in God’s image.

That’s right.

I believe that James Holmes (the shooter) was crafted in God’s image every bit as much as you and I are.

Sadly, in the less-than-perfect state we now live in, some of God’s attributes in us—including His justice, His holy jealousy, and, yes, His righteous wrath—can become so warped as to be nothing more than ugly mockeries of how He intended them to be.

Regardless of our divine blueprint, because of free will, we still have the ability to “go to the Devil” to a spectacular—and tragic—degree.

With the depraved, demonic actions to show for it too.

I had to take a break from this post to go pick up my boys from my mom’s house, and when I came back, a friend of mine had shared a blog post from a woman who was in that theater when the shots began and was convinced, at several points, that she and her two teenaged daughters were going to die.

Even so, she was even more firmly convinced that—regardless of whether she met her Maker that night or 50 years from it—God was good,

In fact, she wrote the post, which is very well expressed, as an answer to those asking—either genuinely or contemptuously—“So, do you think God’s merciful now?”

Her answer?

A resounding YES.

I’m so glad I saw what she wrote before I finished my post because two specific things she said stood out to me and were on my heart as well:

1) “(God) is not the cause of evil, but He is the one who can bring comfort and peace in the midst of evil. It’s been amazing to see the outpouring of love from so many people after this unthinkable act. Yes, there was one evil act, but it is being covered by thousands, possibly millions of acts of kindness.”

Source: google.com via Abbie on Pinterest

 

and

2) “God is always good.

Man is not.

Don’t get the two confused.”

 

 

Amen, sister.

I certainly couldn’t have said it better.

Except, perhaps, to add:

God is always good.

Sometimes, man imparts His goodness to others.

And it’s a beautiful thing.

I’m praying that I’ll be the milk of human kindness to someone who needs a little refreshing this week, and I pray that you will too.

0 Comments

  1. Thank you for sharing and I’m so glad you let some kind folks help you. The older I get, the more willing I am to accept the offers of help. Accept it at face value, God not only works through you in what you offer to the world but also through others in what they can offer you.

  2. Thank you for this post. Beautiful, honest, humble. You are an inspiration, and I appreciate the things you write. God IS good, and I am thankful to know that. It has helped me in the last couple of weeks.

  3. Boy am I glad to see this post! I have a young friend – maybe about your age. She was expecting her 5th daughter and they found out she may have some problems. I foolishly suggested it might help her empathize with the sufferings of others — she is extremely judgmental and rigid, always, always complained when people asked if all 4 girls were hers — she attributed to everyone disapproval rather than assuming approval from those who asked. Anyway, it was kinda funny because I was flamed by her friends as somehow my suggestion became a recommendation for abortion! I unfriended her on FB because I didn’t want to listen/read the diatribes — but not before adding my last comment that at least I had enough respect for Molly (not her real name) that it never occurred to me that that is how her friends would interpret my comment. She is really closer to my daughter’s age and God did not make me in charge of her. I pray for her and her baby, but I do wish God would open her heart a little bit to the sufferings of others.

  4. Abby, I just love to stop by and read your blog…it is so refreshing and honest. This was beautiful and such a great thing to think about. I too am not very good at asking for help or accepting it for that matter, but then we are hindering someone else from being a blessing to us. I think it is wonderful that you had so many “helpers” as you checked out. And I love that the one man said he wanted to do it because that is what he would want someone to do for his wife. Amen!!! God is good all the time!!!!

  5. Hey! I just wanted to say thanks, I read this
    Post this am on my blackberry before I even got out of bed and I was thinking how great it was that people (strangers) were helping you, and you were letting them and it was sweet and great etc. then I got to the bottom where you talked about being refreshed. That’s hen it hit me, I am in desperate need of some refreshing! I actually chose “refresh” as my word of the year. I got up, got the family ready and we went to church today for the first time in a very long time. It was so great, and much needed. So thanks!

  6. Thank you for this post and this perspective. I’ve been trying to wrap my mind around the tragedy and just…can’t. I even had a complete stranger make a joke to me about it yesterday. A joke. About lives lost in such a senseless and depraved act. Thank you for reminding me that there still is good in this world.

  7. Great posts! Lots of fun and meaningful stuff on here!

    Newest follower from July’s blog hop! Love for you to stop by Naptime Review and return the follow. Hosting Mom’s Monday Mingle now. Love for you to link up. Last week we hit 200! Love to have you!

    http://www.thenaptimereview.com

  8. Great post Abbie – I have a simple code that I live by – I treat others how I would like to be treated. My mum died two months ago and I feel blessed that I believe in God and Heaven and know that she is in a beautiful place and united with my dear dad. Its a comfort to me. I cant imagine not believing in the many blessing He has given me and our family.

  9. Yes, God is good – all the time! God abhors evil and the root of that evil, but still loves the one who is carrying out (human person) evil. I really liked your post today. I, too, in my younger age felt that I was somewhat super and didn’t require others helping hand. However, the older I get, the more i realize that we are here to help each other carry their load (burden), whether it is to unload a grocery cart, take food to a grieving family, etc. Not one of us can change the world, but each can lighten the burden of someone each day.

  10. this is a beautiful post! i do think that when we have kids, we feel more connected to the world and everyone in it the world’s pain is our pain. having lost my sweet son in terrible circumstances, it is hard to remember that god is good, but i know he is. xo

  11. I think having children makes us more empathetic. To have kids is to have our hearts outside of ourselves. That opens us up to the world, so in good ways and bad we feel more, and we are acutely aware of more. The bad used to overwhelm me until I started my ‘silver lining’ campaign. After my son, Sam, died, grief nearly swallowed me whole. I knew I had to rally for Sydney’s (my daughter’s) sake, so I began focusing on finding at least one good thing, one positive – no matter how small or seemingly trivial or insignificant – in every negative moment. Sydney has learned it, too, and after Curt’s death in 2005, we did Silver Linings together. There is always something to be thankful for, no matter how small it may seem. We are never left in total darkness. Thank you for posting this, Abbie. 🙂 It’s a great reminder.

  12. Oh my…I just finished my makeup and have tears streaming down my face. I have been.so angry the last few days since the shooting. Wondering the same…why? I found myself relieved to find out that my daughter had been to a midnight premier of the movie (at church camp) and she is OK and even though it was no where close to Aurora, I still feel sick thinking about all the “what ifs.” I needed this post. Today. This very minute. Thanks be to God who speaks through his people. ~Jenny Roach

  13. Thank you for this post and this perspective. I’ve been trying to wrap my mind around the tragedy and just…can’t. I even had a complete stranger make a joke to me about it yesterday. A joke. About lives lost in such a senseless and depraved act. Thank you for reminding me that there still is good in this world.

  14. Thanks for the reminder of how we need to be willing to accept as well as show love. Praying that God will use me to brighten another’s day.

  15. Beautiful post. It is hard to accept help. But you know that feeling you get when you help someone else, a stranger, for no reason at all? That lift in your heart that you feel? Well, if you don’t allow people to help YOU, you are denying them that feeling. Let people be kind to you, too!

  16. abbie…..your honesty is the beautiful piece of this post. i’m slightly speechless as i’m letting your words sink in but i’ll be sure to share this post with others.

    thank you!

  17. Such a beautiful & true post, Abbie! I appreciate that you shared your heart with us. I too was feeling the same way as you about the shooting. Kinda overwhelmed with the tragedy & thinking about what kind of world would my kids be growing up in. But, thank you for reminding me of the presence of the Lord……always & forever! He Reigns!
    And for reminding me that I can be the milk of kindness to someone else…….so sorry you had a tough Sam’s trip. I, too, have been in similar situations and a helpful hand is priceless!

  18. Beautifully expressed Abbie. I also think about how big God’s heart for us, His creations, is. He made James Holmes. He loves him. And God’s heart must surely squeeze in pain at the choices that James made. Indeed even the choices that we all make at times (not something we like to think about).

    I’m glad someone was there to give you a hand when you needed it. I hope you get some good rest tonight, and that Shaun will be home soon. It’s not much fun when your best friend and help is absent.
    God is good… all the time.
    Big Hugs,
    Sheree

  19. Great post, today, sweet lady! I read this lady’s post as well, and was equally moved by her words and attitude. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this tragedy in Aurora.

I love hearing from you guys!