tears of God

On the T.V. was a news special on the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Even though it was 5 years removed from the situation; the footage, the stories, and the music moved me to tears.

Human suffering pervades all societies of the world but to have seen it so vividly in America really hit home for me. Given I wasn't in the midst of it and can only speak of it as a third party, the question for me is, why wasn't something done?

Many arguments can be said if something was done or not, but I want to give voice to another age old issue. Where was God?

Many have argued that in the midst of suffering, why wouldn't a merciful and loving God intercede? I don't claim to have adequate knowledge in the field of apologetics nor am I seasoned enough to fully answer this question satisfactorily, but I am compelled to defend my God to some degree.

If one believes we have free will, then it can be argued that we as humans do what we want, whenever we want. This in itself can be carried over to the fact of humans causing other humans suffering. With this, other humans who witness such can stop such, if so compelled.

So how does this explain natural disasters and the suffering that it brings? Why not think of it as an opportunity that our Creator has allowed for us to comfort those, showing and sharing the same love and comfort He has given us? Scripture tells us to comfort those in suffering (2 Corinthians 1:3-7). So why not help out?

But what about the innocent people who suffered in vain? Did they deserve, at times, unspeakable atrocities and horrors committed against them? -Who are we to question God? I mean we could and we can. Job certainly did after his trials, but God replied (Job 38 and the following chapters) with a more than compelling response. What do we know? I keep coming back to Ecclesiastes 3:11.

So why the natural disasters in the first place? Why even have all these things happen so that we have to question God in the first place?

Maybe He wants us to find Him in the midst of suffering. Maybe He wants us to be the Comforter. I suppose this isn't an adequate enough response, so I leave you with another thought...does not God shed tears too?

100

The perfect score. A century's worth in years. A number we all seem to strive for.

My 100th post. Enough said.

COOKIES?!?

Mad love, props, shout outs, accolades, and everything good to HC for her sharing her cookie recipe with me.

These cookies are AMAZING. Hands down.

Sharing the actual cookies and now the recipe?!?!?

HC, you are AWESOME!!!

chefs-in-training?

I just spent 2 hours playing "Restaurant" with my cousin's babies.

They are 1 and 3 years old and they were ALL OVER THE PLACE. Playing "Restaurant" was the only thing that kept them in the same place for that LONG amount of time. Most enjoyable though.

They played chef while I played guest. The older one kept giving me my money back after I paid for the meal. The younger one kept giving me lettuce. I tried teaching the older one they were supposed to keep the money...He was SOOO persistent in giving it back. Good thing it wasn't a real business.

As I was "sipping" my coffee that the older one also persisted on giving me, I couldn't help but wonder.

How many times have our parents gave us instructions that we didn't follow? How many times has Father in Heaven given us instructions and we did the same? Do we not understand like these little ones? Or do we, outright, choose to ignore it altogether? Is it a little bit of both?

Only the Master Chef knows the right ingredients, times, and methods to cook up something beautiful. Only He knows when to serve the right dish, at the right time. Only He is the one to satisfy all cravings. If we all are striving to be like the Master Chef, we just need to heed His instruction and do likewise.

Looks like it's back to more reading up on recipes in The Book With All The Recipes.

God is HILARIOUS

I just saw Korean nuns jammin' to a Beatles' song. Made my day.