Welcome to our world.

Violence is permeating our world and it is a shaky culture to live in. Everyday places like airports, businesses, classrooms, theaters, shopping malls and now marathons have connections to violence. What a world for us, what a world for a child. I pray for courage. I pray for protection.

Julia wasn't even born yet when violence first came against her. I was approaching my church, while maybe 7 months pregnant, when a disturbed, likely drug addicted man threatened to punch my stomach in "didn't care if there was a baby there" if I said another word to him. (He wanted money for food. I offered a McDonald's breakfast instead and this violent threat ensued.)

How ever do we make sense of this violent society? Why so much anger and death welling up inside our neighbors? How do we live in our own anger & grief in the aftermath of these tragic days?

With so much uncertainty & loss, we pray. Religious or not, we pray. We pray numb with shock or overcome with tears and screams of injustice. We pray and we welcome peace into our world.

Tears are falling, hearts are breaking, how we need to hear from God
You've been promised, we've been waiting
Welcome holy child, welcome holy child

Bring your peace into violence, bid our hungry souls be filled
Word now breaking heaven's silence
Welcome to our world

Fragile fingers sent to heal us
Tender brow prepared for thorn,
Tiny heart whose love will save us
unto us is born, unto us is born.

Wrap our injured flesh around You
Breathe our air and walk our soil
Rob our sins and make us holy
Perfect son of God, perfect son of God
Welcome to our world.

-Chris Rice

Linking with:
Mommy Moments
What I Learned Wednesday