Matthew 24: 7-8: For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. (KJV) Being aware of the tragedy that occurred in south-east Asia on Dec 26, we all watched the television and heard the reports of the numbers that were carried out to sea by the tsunami. As the numbers of the dead mounted – to over a hundred and twenty five thousand (and still counting) – I gasped at the thought, and in my own way gave prayer for such a great loss.

On Wednesday of the same week a letter came to our home; it was hand written by a little girl named Sanila Paerera (not her real name). The letter was written in her own language with an accompanying letter translated into English. We have been sponsoring Sanila in recent years through a Christian organization, as I am certain many of you do for others.

Sanila spoke of her schoolwork and that of her brothers and sister, happy that they were all doing well. Her mother had just returned to Sri Lanka last July and they were so very happy. Prayerfully not, but very likely, the sea took them away.

Tragic, horrific, unbelievable though it may seem, I thought, as I sat with the letter in my hand, my heart sank to think about her and her family and I puzzled in my mind asking, “Why God?”, knowing full well He has the plan. Believing with my entire mind, heart and soul that God is love and to be sure He has a reason for all we have witnessed. Still, being human, it wrenches our hearts to see such suffering taking place in the world.

Lamentations 2:13: What can I say for you? With what can I compare you, O Daughter of Jerusalem? To what can I liken you, that I may comfort you, O virgin daughter of Zion? Your wound is as deep as the sea. Who can heal you? (NIV)

Questions kept mounting in my mind about the victims who have suffered beyond belief. Let us not ever forget God will never leave or forsake us. Trusting in Him, we have hope in Christ who has brought eternal life as a light to shine upon all our Christian brothers and sisters, both here and across the sea.

John 14:27: Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (KJV)

Prayer: Dear Lord: You are the almighty, the creator of us all. Bring peace in troubled times so that we may never become discouraged, knowing that You are in control. Comfort those who have lost everything, especially the lives of their loved ones. As believers in Your love for us all, let us not fear but draw closer to You in times of trouble. Enable us to trust in the hope of the resurrection and the life everlasting as we pray for those in distress: in and through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Anne Russell anbrussell@rogers.com