#PrayforParis

I was winding down today at work, finishing paperwork, sorting, filing, getting ready to call it a week when I heard my phone beep.  A message!  I looked and my brother-in-law had messaged the family, “Terrorist shot up Paris.”  I quickly logged online and saw the headlines.  Paris was under attack, with as many as six different locations reporting shootings and explosions.  I was dumbfounded, heartbroken, as I saw the number of fatalities increase.  It was hard to fathom.  I could only pray for the people of Paris.

The evening is coming to an end and I’m still dumbfounded, but I continue to pray.  I’ve posted online for people to reach out to friends and family living there, to make sure they’re ok.  I’ve gone from site to site, grief-stricken as I read of the chaos and horror because horror it was.  And I’m praying for those who have been witness to this horror. 

I’ve searched for a song to share, because that’s what I do.  Music speaks to me, speaks for me.  I can only think of Advent songs, though, because it’s that time year for me.  I’ve been puttering around the house, getting ready for Christmas this past week.  Yes, I’m ONE OF THOSE, but I love this time of year.  I love the change of weather, sweater weather.  I love pulling out the ornaments, figuring out where they’re going to go on the tree THIS year.  I do love Thanksgiving and I do take time to thank God for his providential grace, but I love more the fact that it makes way for the Advent season and Christmas.  It is a season of waiting, anticipation, longing.

And again, I find myself longing even more for Christ’s coming. 

I shared this song a few years ago, on a day that was also horror-filled.  I wept and prayed then for the families of twenty beautiful babies and their caregivers.  I weep and pray now for families left bereft and grieving as we enter another holiday season.

Even so Lord, come quickly…