Day 84: March 24, 2016 As the World Turns

March 24, 2016  As the World Turns
Day 84

Robyn was six, Christopher was four, and Kathryn was two, it was spring of 1994. We strolled in parks, delighted in picnics, camped along a pristine river, slurped popsicles, read many children's books, many Bible stories, attended church and more than likely had some beach days along the Atlantic. In my world there was nothing to think about but my children, my husband, organization of household matters and dreams of the future. Life was good.

However, between April and July of 1994, in another part of the world, there was a mom who watched her daughters being slaughtered and then thrown into a latrine, too down far for her to reach. All she could do was pray, PRAY. It seemed as if The Lord of the Flies stomped out of the book and into cold living hearts, for the Rwandan's world was disintegrating. Neighbors and friends were turning against one another. Rage was in their hands, in their mouth, and in their blood. All of this started three days after Easter.

During the spring and summer of 1994, while I was enjoying my spring flowers and taking my little ones to the local pool, 800,000 humans were being slaughtered and gunned down like hunted animals. I remained ignorant.

For the past 20 years, reconciliation replaces murder in Rwanda. An article in the New York Times will fill you with hope and challenge you to the very core.

Grace is offensive. Thousands of years ago a man died for the men who took the 800,000 lives. On the cross he bore their shame. On the cross he bore the victim's pain. On the cross he provided our gain. From the grave He rose and provided us life without stain.