Today is a new day. Today is the day the Lord has made so let’s rejoice. I am trying. I really am. I know our God is in control, I do. But I am struggling right now. I know I am to have faith. It is my job to trust…not understand. I know all that…and it does bring me comfort. BUT, I am struggling.
A roller coaster of emotions have hit me today. The events of yesterday are settling in. As we left our hotel today we were met with armed guards. The street in front of the hotel was blocked. The swat team and numerous police officers were at the hotel across the street. Unsettling is the best word to describe it…eery.
These sights are imprinted in my mind. I know they are nothing compared to the sights others saw yesterday. Many of Team Hoyt’s family members were in the stands across from one of the explosions. One said he has replayed it all in his mind over and over again! I can’t imagine…the replay of smoke in mine is bad enough.
Team Hoyt came out physically okay. Emotionally scarred and changed…forever I am sure. It drew us closer to our families and closer to each other as a Team Hoyt family! We were thankful to share hugs! We were thankful to receive emails from those we were unable to see and touch. Dick and Rick were stopped on the course when they cancelled the race. They made it back to their home without too many delays. Thankfully, they are well! The Lord truly watched over our team and helped us through this horrific day.
God is showing me He is in control. Tragedy causes people to search for reasons why…to search for a sense of hope. We may never know why but God is providing hope. He is in control. Romans 8.28 – For we know that all things work together for the good of those who love the Lord and are called according to his purpose.
A friend sent me a devotion today. It was talking about being thankful in all circumstances. My brother sent me 1 Thessalonians 5.18 – here is 1 Thessalonians 5. 16-18….16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. It is so hard to be thankful for the tragedy that unfolded on Marathon Monday but in the devotion it stated again, we can’t see the big picture. He can.
After reading the different accounts in the newspaper it makes me really, really thankful for our safety and God’s provision. I have said this already but will continue. My heart is broken for the families of those who lost their lives. One was an eight year old boy who had just hugged his dad before he crossed the finish line. He ran back to be with his mom when the bomb exploded. He was killed and his mom and sister were both injured. The father was headed down the corral to get his medal. Relieved to be done I am sure. Thankful to have a Gatorade and a Power Bar to refuel. Then as I did, heard the blast and I am sure turned around to horror. My story had a better ending. His did not!
Sadness and tears consume me as I think about this…I know how panicked I felt trying to find Mike. I know the fear that overtook me. Prayers were being lifted but I was in shock and my instincts of go and find Mike kicked in. This father did the same. I can only wrap prayer around this family. I don’t know their names, but God does. God also has this family and the others in His hand.
We are now in flight on the way home. It still seems surreal. On one of the newscasts being broadcast in the airport a reporter said this is like 911 you will always remember where you were and when you heard. I sat back and thought about this…I was there in person. I saw the smoke. People were killed and injured just 2 blocks away from me. The reality of this has not really hit me yet. I know it will. On this roller coaster I go from reality to really? What a place to be!
The outpouring of love Mike and felt have humbled us beyond belief. Due to the circumstances we were without cell phone services for a while. They were taking precautionary measures just in case cell phones were being used to detonate the bombs. It was a scary time. We wanted to get in touch with our loved ones – friends and family all around the world. Please know that if I could give each of you a huge hug – I would. That is what I needed and wanted….Mike was there for me. { } Consider this your virtual hug!
As we have traveled God is showing His presence. Before we took off in Boston I had to use the restroom. I walked in and a girl was on the phone crying. She had her Boston Marathon shirt on so I knew she had run the race. When she was finished I said “I know I don’t know you, but can I give you a hug?” We embraced and then she told me her story. She was right there when it happened. She was thanking the Lord for her safety. We stood and talked for a while and I made a new friend. Liz-I am praying for you! I feel blessed that the Lord allowed our paths to cross. It was a Godincidence like so many other happenings this weekend. She talked about how she felt God was working. How He was drawing us back to our families. We talked about God’s sovereignty. He is in control.
After landing in Charlotte we were walking to connecting gate. A complete stranger reached out and put her hand on Mike’s arm and said, “I am really glad to see you two!” We thanked her as she walked on. Good is out there….everywhere. We need to live more intentional and show others our love and God’s love daily. This is where the hope comes from in these times of tragedy. That is what we are made of!
Does it make us sad? Yes! Do we hurt? Yes! Do we wish we could erase it? Yes! Questions are raised why? Why would a gracious God allow such tragedy?
I know our Lord is good…I know He is sovereign and He is in control. Searching for answers is part of it…as I searched I found this article BIBLE TRUTHS FOR TRAGIC TIMES on www.cbn.com – The Christian Broadcasting Network written by Laura J. Bagby. It was written after Hurricane Katrina. She has conveyed the message so well. She has referenced the word of our Lord and Savior that brings us comfort. READ BELOW:
| 5 “The waves of death surrounded me; the floods of destruction swept over me. 6 The grave[a] wrapped its ropes around me; death itself stared me in the face. 7 But in my distress I cried out to the LORD; yes, I called to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry reached his ears (2 Samuel 22:5-7, NLT).The above Scripture passage, a heartfelt cry of King David written thousands of years ago. The Lord God is close to the brokenhearted, to those crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18). He is our refuge in times of trouble (Psalm 59:16). |
| In the meantime, as the rest of us stay glued to the television set, transfixed at the images of horror that have transpired these last couple of days and waiting to hear from loved ones, we must not allow our hearts to faint to the point that we lose hope and begin to question the goodness of God. We can become overwhelmed when we dwell on tragedy, which is exactly why the Bible tells us to set our minds on things above and not on earthly things (Colossians 3:2).When our hearts are troubled, we must seek the Lord. When we give our anxious hearts to God instead of remaining paralyzed by our fearful thoughts, we gain His peace. The Bible tells us plainly in Philippians 4:6-7:Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (NIV).
John 14:27 also notes the exchange of fear for peace. Jesus states: “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (NKJV). These are the times to remember just who our God truly is, a God who is there and a God who cares. So let us pause to consider our Great King. Let’s look on heavenly things for a moment to calm our nerves. |
Me again: I couldn’t have said it any better. I want to reiterate her words…”Remember who our God truly is, a God who is there and a God who cares. So let us pause to consider our Great King. Let’s look on heavenly things for a moment to calm our nerves.”
I prayed 18 weeks ago, at the beginning of my marathon training, that God’s will be done and He was glorified on race day. Never in a million years did I ever imagine or could I have ever imagined it would or could be happening in this way! God will prevail. We know the ending! Thanking Him for His Hope and love!!!
thenextmailboxboston 
Trish, first of all that was a inspiring article you wrote. I have been praying for you and as I said, God will be running with you. And now we know He was. Why it happened no one on Earth knows. I can see in already that the bombing has brought families closer together just as it did on 911. Families do need to come back together. It is so sad that things like this happen but I feel God is trying to get our attention and draw us back to him. For us to depend on him.
It was such a peaceful feeling when I texted Shelley to see if she had heard and she said you had already text that you and Mike were alright. Praise God. I love you so much. God is in control of all things. Let us again be drawn closer to him. In my devotional today it said Don’t let unexpected things throw you off course. Rather respond calmly and confidently, remembering I am with you. As soon as something grabs your attention, talk with Me about it. I share your joys and your problems; I help you cope with whatever is before you. This is how I live in you and work through you. This is the way of Peace.
Let us put our focus on the Lord. He is in control of all things.
Love to you and Mike
Glynda