When in Wales

After the horrific event in Manchester yesterday, I cannot help but think about all the terrible events in this world. For majority of my life, the media has been consumed with tragedy and people filled with so much hatred. At just eight years old, I watched the t.v. flash clip after clip of two planes fly into what I now know to be the Twin Towers. I remember our country grieving together, but then we moved on. I will never forget where I was on that day and what I was doing. I have watched war fill our screens and social media, yet after a period of sadness I would let my life move on. I have watched people suffering over in the Middle East and think of how tragic this is, but again I would just let my life move on.

However, I refuse to just let my life move on now. I am realizing how much I have taken for granted growing up in a free and overall safe country. It was easy for me to watch things from the States and feel saddened, but then move on. I beyond thankful for the troops who fight for our freedom and put their lives on the line each day. As things are happening closer to me each time in my second home I cannot ignore this. I remember sitting at my table last year when the Paris attack happened. I was overwhelmed with such sadness which I had never experienced before. For once it was a realization of how close I was to something so horrendous. Matthew 5:4 says, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” As we mourn for all that is happening, we must not forget that we are not alone. I refuse to live my life in fear because of these terrorist. I know who holds my future and will not let them take away the joy of life. We cannot simply ignore what is going on though. I am not saying dwell on the past, but instead pray for the future. This is not how God intended the world to be. We must make a choice to love each other more than ever now.

Pray for the victims and their families who have been affected by such tragedy. Remember that their lives do not simply just get to move on and will be changed forever because of this.