counting blessings

The incredible and wonderful acts of kindness people performed after the events in Boston today were incredibly touching, but even more so because it brought such a contrast to the stories I hear from refugees who find their new homes here in the US everyday. I am SO incredibly thankful we are in a country where there is an ABUNDANCE of helpers...a gift many places in the world do not have. 

A patient the other day came in as a new patient; we soon found out he was a refugee. After having been imprisoned multiple times for speaking out against the government, finally forced to flee his country because of persecution, with nothing but the shoes on his feet and the clothes on his back, he went into a neighboring country with no contacts, no friends, no helpers. Through pure resilience, a wary heart and the kindness of a handful of strangers, he made it through. However, he left his then-infant son back in his country, and has not talked to him in more than a decade. If he ever gets to meet his son, his son will have already become a grown man... without his father.

How many of us would have made it through without the abundance, the COMFORT, that comes from knowing we are in MULTIPLE good hands? Such is a luxury we take for granted here in the US, where generosity is welcome, praised, and encouraged.

It is not the case in other places.  

Again and again, I am reminded of what a blessing Urbana was for me. As one of the speakers said: 
'Our problem, the reason we are so unhappy and disatisfied in our first world lives is because we have given ourselves a sense of ENTITLEMENT. As mere mortals, we are not entitled to ANYTHING. But we have such a merciful God who is willing to bless us with gifts...and we can combat our dissatisfaction with being thankful everyday for the things He has given us.

Tonight, my prayers go out to Boston, both the victims and the helpers. God, please calm their hearts, show them how good you are, and give wisdom to those who are still helping. But also, my prayers go out to those suffering in the dark places, who have learned to deal with this kind of thing as commonplace. There is so much sin in this world. God, more than anything, comfort them.
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