In the Aftermath of Tragedy, Compassion Brings HOPE

As I contemplate my AFTERMATH theme, I have been reflecting on the people of Japan.

Today marks one month of living in the horror of the AFTERMATH of the earthquake and tsunami that devastated their country.

My heart aches for these precious and suffering people.

Lost lives. Lost homes. Lost jobs. Lost hope.


We live oceans apart yet the media brings the Japanese people right into our living rooms.

We see the weeping mother as she buries her infant son.

The weary father searches the morgue for his precious daughter.

Displaced families gather together in shelters trying to piece their lives together.

How do we wrestle with the reality of what they face?

Is it just another news story?

Is there any compassion in your heart today?

I believe God is calling us to check our compassion meters.

In the busyness of our day-to-day lives we sometimes glance at the news and rush off to work or school.

Do you weep with those who weep?

I pray that in the AFTERMATH of Tragedy, God gives you a compassionate heart.

Because over and again in God's Word we read about his compassion for the lost and broken world. As we model His way, we can reach out and help.

I imagine God weeps right along with that mom and that father who lost their precious children.

After all, God lost His own precious Son so that you and I can live with eternal HOPE.

I pray every day for the people in Japan to know that HOPE in the AFTERMATH.

This is how I'm praying for you today.

That God will give you HOPE and then I ask Him to assign you someone to reach out and touch so you can pass that HOPE on to someone in need.

Maybe it's a neighbor. A friend who recently lost their job. A co-worker going through a family crisis.

Give them a hug. Write them a note. Make that phone call.

Be a HOPE giver.

Take a moment today because you never know when your simple kind word will help them to face another day with HOPE in their heart.

God Bless your heart with renewed compassion.

Gigi

http://www.gigimurfitt.com/

In the Aftermath of Speed, lies a TICKET!

Yikes. It's confession time.

After going practically blind watching my windshield wipers cross the window for the one millionth time, we finally hit some sunshine just outside of Moses Lake, WA on our return trip from Montana.

Gabe had just hit the SNOOZE button.

I was stuck in a pack of cars so I kicked it up to get ahead of the pack. (BTW - Don't hang out in the left lane unless you are passing another car -- JUST SAYIN')

I hit the VOLUME button on my stereo listening to a new worship CD from Gateway Church. Love this album! http://www.gatewayworship.com/media


I'm jammin' and enjoying a few miles of sunshine.

I was praising God with all my heart.

And then....I saw HIM!

No, not God. I sure wished it was God.

It was the officer standing on the side of the road pointing at me.

I'm like "Are you looking at ME?"

Yup. Pull over lady.

I glanced at my speedometer and gasped. BUSTED!

So much for praise. Now I need a raise!

I seem to learn a new lesson each day.

In the aftermath of disobedience, there are consequences...even if we do it with our hands raised singing at the top of our lungs....

My first speeding ticket! Geesh.

Guess what. After my heart started beating a normal rhythm again, I turned the music back on and praised God anyway...and asked him to help me keep an eye on the needle for the remainder of the trip.

And He answered my prayer.

God Bless Your Heart with PRAISE.

Gigi
http://www.gigimurfitt.com/

In the Aftermath of Winter is Spring!

It has been a long hard winter.

I’m more than ready for spring.

I’m thinking of you and hoping your winter is over too.

Because in the AFTERMATH of winter is spring.

And spring brings new beginnings and HOPE.

On my drive to Montana today I saw old dirty snow melting into flowing springs.

The springs water the trees as they squeeze out new buds.

Seeds planted long ago burst forth and bloom as their roots are watered.

Here, the image of a fresh spring evokes the spiritual cleansing and renewal that God brings to His people. This is the kind of cleansing God has brought to me this year.

And I hope He brings it to you too.

So I’m praying for you tonight

• I asked God to bring you a spiritual cleansing that will renew your joy.

• I prayed for the sun to shine on your winter season.

• I asked for cleansing of your family relationships.

• I hope for the refreshing of your broken heart from that winter season of your past.

• I trust He will show you the way – like He did for me.

Because He loves you so much.

God bless your heart with this encouraging Scripture from Isaiah 58:11:

Isaiah 58:11 (New King James Version)

The LORD will guide you continually, And satisfy your soul in drought, And strengthen your bones; You shall be like a watered garden, And like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.

Because God always gives us HOPE in the AFTERMATH with springs of living water…

Gigi Murfitt

www.GigiMurfitt.com