I’ve thought a lot about this photo since yesterday afternoon. Thinking about how many of my friends had been RIGHT THERE just a few minutes or hours before. Thinking about the shoot I did at the candy store that’s right next to the site of the first bombing. Thinking about how it could have been just about anyone I know who was injured or killed yesterday, and how thankful I am that it wasn’t. Thinking about how much worse it could have been, and what a blessing it is that so many first responders were in the area who probably saved many many lives. And I’ve been praying for everyone involved – those who were hurt, the people who’s loved ones died, the emergency workers and photographers who witnessed so much horror, and the thousands of bystanders who are traumatized by the terror it caused. It’s just so horrible.
We are grieving and praying for our city.
The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me,
because the Lord has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.
Isaiah 61:1-4
Shout for joy, you heavens;
rejoice, you earth;
burst into song, you mountains!
For the Lord comforts his people
and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.
Isaiah 49:13
…my soul is downcast within me.
Yet this I call to mind
and therefore I have hope:
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion;
therefore I will wait for him.”
Lamentations 3:19-20
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he refreshes my soul.
He guides me along the right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely your goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Psalm 23
praying.