Shell-shocked: It Must Stop!

By Linda Grupp Boutin

2 Corinthians 9:8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

     Less than two days after my last post exploring unconditional love, violence invaded our country again. Here are some ramblings I recorded since Monday, April 15th after the Marathon in Boston exploded.

                                                               *****

     Tax day, Patriot's Day in Boston, a long race called a Boston Marathon. Families gathered. Friends cheering. Explosions exploding. Another long, hard day in American Emergency Rooms. Injured people scattered on sidewalks. Crowds running. Screams echoing. Ear drums bursting. Another long, hard day for Boston's Finest. Unable to allow tears to flow, numbness encompasses all the Americans glued to cable, watching the pain flow past in an endless supply of blood. My heart screams why? My head confused. My fingers type, taking me to those painful places; those dark places of fear; my soul prays; an explorer blind with no light. A gentle touch on my shoulder when the Holy Spirit descends. Why Lord, why? A bomb again? Two bombs. Why?
     Murder, mayhem, IEDs. Shouting, yelling, running to help. We HAVE heard this before. In Oklahoma City, in the heart of Georgia, in New York City on a dark, sunshiny day. WHEN DOES THIS STOP?!? When Americans stop running from the problems, when brave and aching families take a stand. At a Federal Building, at the Olympics, at the Pentagon, at the Twin Towers! And in the cities, and in the living rooms, and over the cell phones, the tears flood us all. When does this all stop?
     Assault weapons, soldiers' clips, ammunition flowing while the bombs explode. What do you hear when you close your eyes at night? Pundits' rants? Politicians' chants? Endless speeches? God's voice counseling sleep? Rest finally overtakes fright.
                                                             *****

     Days pass, suspects fight, Boston holds strong, demonstrating for all to see that adversity can grow strength, pain can build character, marathon runners are just amazing.
                  "...having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."
     Memorials proceed for those who died. The country gathers and collects funds to send to those hurt. The FBI and CIA scramble to piece together the clues, the why and the should haves.We rally together and I truly breathe again after I see my friend who was there. He was safe when the bombs exploded.

                                                           *****

     The U.S. Senate acted, by doing nothing to curb violence in any form. By declaring a filibuster and refusing to even discuss a bill requiring background checks for gun purchasers. On the night all the police were on the streets of Watertown battling bombers now also equipped with guns, the Senators decide guns and violence deserves no debate. They will not vote because the bill will never be considered by them. They just refuse to speak and go silent. They won't tell you where they stand. If Americans want to know which senator called for a filibuster--they won't tell you that either. They claim to represent us, the American people.Whose voice did Congress hear?

                                                          *****

     The FAA furloughed air traffic controllers recently due to "the sequester." Air travel has been tangled, especially at airport hubs, meaning long tarmac waits. The Senators, who travel to and from Washington regularly, agreed to debate, vote on and pass a bill on to the House of Representatives before leaving town for another week not working in Washington. They passed a bill in record time to reinstate funding for full staffing of air traffic controllers. And the House of Representative followed their lead before they left town for another week of not legislating. I am disappointed by their lack of leadership. I wish those who represent me would filibuster leaving town again, stay and work, and try to do a good work.