My Prayer Today

Its everywhere. It's almost impossible to turn on the TV, read a newspaper or be in a public place without hearing the word "Haiti". And it should be everywhere, because its terrible.
I have a confession. I wasn't really moved by this story. I was, terribly, stuck in the us/them mentality. And I was busy and not really paying attention to the news. I was preoccupied and absorbed in my own little corner of the world. And then I watched the slideshow on MSN with images of the destruction and I realized that these people are hurting and they're in desperate need of prayer and compassion. It doesn't matter what color they are, what country they live in or what language they speak - they are children of God and they are hurting. And I am absolutely not in any way too busy to pray for people who are broken. My heart broke for them when I saw little bodies covered in sheets or just laying out in the open streets of the city. I saw the anguish in a mother's face as her daughter was pulled from the rubble of her school and I saw myself. I saw the pain that I would be feeling where I, God forbid, in a similiar situation. I can only imagine the depth of their pain. And so, I'm praying for them. I'm praying for their country, their people, the relief effort and for their souls. I pray that they can find comfort in God who can bring them peace and help them through this terrible time.
And I'm praying a prayer of gratitude that God has opened my eyes a little wider and softened my heart a little more for His people. Unfortunately, as with most disasters, in their wake we all remember to hug our kids a little tighter and hold our tempers a little longer.. I wish it didn't take mass destruction for us to realign our priorities though. Regardless of the reason, I'm going to hug my kids a little longer today and take a little more joy in the mundane because I'm so blessed to be where I am. So, thank you Lord for all of the blessings You've given me that I am so horribly undeserving of. And Lord, be with Haiti.