It was such a tragic week for our country, and for Orlando in particular. Too many lives were lost and, in such a dark and desperate time, rather than come together as Americans and parents and just simple, decent human beings, a staggering number pointed fingers, placed blame and called names. A tragedy in and of itself.
As the family at Disney lived what must have been the darkest hours of their lives after that alligator attacked, drowned and abandoned their two year old son at the bottom of a murky, stagnant lake, my social media feeds were not alive with hope and prayers and compassion, but rather riddled with blame and accusations and spitefulness. I was so disappointed that I let myself fall into the trap of reading these articles and, even worse, that I began to be lured into the debate with a few friends and acquaintances. It’s so easy to do. It’s too easy to do.
What happened to Lane Graves was a rare and tragic accident. An appalling act of nature. And pointing fingers at Disney or the parents cannot undo what happened. In this situation in particular, nobody other than the family of that child was irreparably hurt. Not the other resort guests, not the rest of Orlando, not the hoards of people offering their opinions on social media, not you and not me. Those parents will mourn those few minutes forever. Forever. Their days will be filled with what ifs and if onlys, for every single breath for every single day for the rest of their lives.
So rather than clicking on the “911 call from night of alligator attack” or “Disney adds signs after alligator attack” articles, I spent time yesterday reading and regrounding myself in every single line of my favorite hymn.
BE GOD’S LYRICS BY DANIELLE ROSE
Where the world is merciless, be God’s mercy.
Where the world is hopeless, be God’s hope.
Where there is injustice, be God’s justice.
Where there is sadness, be God’s joy.
Where the world is doubting, be God’s faith.
Where there is ingratitude, be God’s grace.
Where there is confusion, be God’s truth.
Where there is weakness, be God’s strength.
Where the world is wounded, be God’s healing.
Where the world is weeping, be God’s song.
Where there is despairing, be God’s beauty.
Where the world is crumbling, be God’s rock.
Where there is no tenderness, be God’s child.
Where there is loneliness, be God’s smile.
Where the world is dying, be God’s life.
Where there is darkness, be God’s light.
Let your life change the world one person at a time.
Let your life be the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ.
As the bread becomes his body, we can be the living sign.
With God’s love, change the world with your life.
I pray that the Graves family can find peace and privacy, and the strength to wake up tomorrow and the day after and the day after. They have paid the ultimate price.
Imagine a world where we all were mercy, hope, grace, strength, light. Just imagine what a wonderful world it could be.
xoxo
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Well said! I so grieve for this family. All of our lives can drastically change at any given moment. We really do need to support each other.
I have been so heartbroken for this family. I just can’t imagine the grief and anguish they must be going through, and like you, I’m saddened and shocked by the reactions I’m seeing all over social media. My prayers are with the Graves family and our country.
Wow, this post gave me chills. Very well said. I’ve been lucky to not have seen the spiteful comments, but I’ve sure heard about them. I can’t believe that people can be so cruel. This could have happened to any family. My prayers go out to them.
Well said Amanda. MY heart aches for the Graves family. Ironically, we are in NE this weekend apartment shopping for our youngest who starts grad school in Lincoln later this summer.
Our oldest lives here as well with his wife, one in grad school, one starting medical residency next week.
NE folks are amazing. They are a very friendly and welcoming state. Not surprised to read of all their support for this family from a ribbon campaign to stuffed animal drive to be donated in Lane’s memory. NE does what they need to do for each other. I LOVE that about the people here.
Amen!!!! beautifully beautifully written!!! when a horrible tragedy happens we just look somewhere to channel that anger over WHY! But to blame those poor parents or anyone….its just wrong in this case! Prayers for that precious family!!! And btw, I enjoyed meeting your sweet sister and family down here the other week!?
Beautifully said. I cannot wrap my head around the people casting blame. I am so heartbroken for this family and I am still thinking about them daily.
Thank you so much for this post. I live in Orlando and it has been such a sad, sad, time for this city. I pray for all the families of all the tragic events that happened over the past week. Praying for the peace that only the Lord can give.