Mourning

I've been working on a list of topics to write about, fun, lighthearted inanities that would hopefully make me laugh at a later reading and be fun to write. 

But today, it just seemed wrong to not acknowledge that the world, in its unending contradictory existence, is very very sad. Beautiful, yes; wonderful, yes; but so tragically sad. 

In seconds, tens of thousands of people died in Turkey and Syria. Millions more lost everything. There is still a war in Ukraine. There are wildfires in Chile, drought in eastern Africa, protests in Peru and Iran. Venezuela and Haiti are struggling to survive. Remember the Rohingya, and the military takeover in Myanmar? Police killings in the US? The severe flooding in California? And western Australia? As well as the war in Ukraine, there is still fighting in Yemen and Ethiopia, tensions between Azerbaijan and Armenia, conflict in South Sudan and across the Sahel due to jihadists. Oh, and a double helping for Syria, who is still fighting a war. Plus an earthquake. And none of this takes into account the daily, less "global" wrongs and tragedies happening around the world: illness, abuse, death, economic disparities, dishonesty, corruption, and on and on. 

Now that you are properly depressed, is there an uplifting point to this? Today, no. Today, I just kept thinking, "I'm so fortunate." Because the truth is, my life is pretty devoid of any of these major challenges. I mean, yeah, my country is kind of losing it's mind, but so is everyone, and for the most part, it doesn't threaten my safety or well-being. And I did nothing to deserve how fortunate I am. Nor am I foolish enough to think that I'm always going to be spared, or my part of the world will always be spared. I'm terrified of the day when it is my turn. Which, yes, is woe is me. But beyond that, I kept thinking, "I can't ignore or just not take any time at all to mourn with my fellow man." 

I know people who have cut themselves off from the news, and I get the instinct. The news is generally terrible and depressing. I don't know their situation, or what their needs are, so I can't say whether they are right or wrong. And the news is definitely oversaturated with every little detail. I also don't think you need to read ALL the news. But I also know people who are affected by these events. And I try really hard to live as a disciple of Jesus Christ, loving all my fellow men. So, for me personally, I do try to keep tabs on what is going on around the world. Can I do much to change things? I don't feel like I can. Some people can quit their job and go save the world. That's not me. (Also, I don't think I'd be that much help. I'd probably be in the way). But I can care. And I can pray, (and I believe in the efficacy of prayer) for all the places in the world that need help, not just the one dominating the news. And I can sacrifice having more stuff to give resources to help the people who do go to save the world. 

So, today, I'm just taking a minute to remember and think about an mourn with everyone who is hurting. To be sad, instead of trying to paint everything rosy. I'm not planning on getting overwhelmed and curling up in a ball in my bed and never leaving it (tempting as that often is). It just seems that sometimes, part of loving your neighbor is being sad with them and on their behalf, and it isn't much, but it is what I can do.