"Left to Tell"

I cannot abide violence in movies, books, and esp real life.

Our family witnessed a serious, broadside accident years ago.
I was amazed at how I reacted. I have always had a pretty "cool" head in emergencies but I froze. Rod said call 911 and ran ahead...I couldn't get a call through the first time because my hands were shaking so hard.

No one was killed or seriously hurt but with one car upside down in a ditch they were lucky. I did stay with the young mom and her baby in the ditch while we waited for help.

So, when my sister in law, Nancy wanted me to read the book, "Left to Tell" by Immaculee Ilibagiza about her survival of the Rwandan holocaust I knew it wasn't the kind of book I could handle. At her urging I did look at it one night though and then could not put it down.
The violence was overshadowed by God's might and power in this young woman's life and those she hid with. It turned a gruesome story into one of victory and hope. I actually felt more hopeful after reading it than I did before.
I am at a loss to understand why these things happen under God's knowledge and mercy but history is rife with stories like this and all seem to repeat the same themes:
prejudice, generational revenge, unworldly hate, unbridled violence against even the most innocent, and lack of remorse.

Since these scenarios have and will continue to repeat themselves over and over it is important we come to grips with the patterns of behavior in this world we live in and the depths that human beings will sink to. Yet, God's light, mercy, and love shine the brightest when seen against the darkest back drops of humanity. In Him there will always be hope for the nations.

"These are the things you shall do: Zechariah 8:16-17
Speak each man the truth to his neighbor
Give judgement in your gates for truth, justice, and peace
Let none of you think evil in your heart against your neighbor"