I, like many of you, have been burdened this week by the ongoing tragedy in Japan. It is difficult to see trials so great in our world. It has been encouraging over the past few days to hear survivor stories begin to trickle in. To hear of restaurant owners opening up shop to freely feed victims, of catastrophe centers celebrating a very loved elder grandma’s birthday. It lifts my heart to see others deeply effected turn around to give grace and hope to those who need it. To see our lovely online community begin to respond, give and love those so far away.
My heart yearns for a world without this current destruction. My desire for celebration in times like these moves from a passion to a deep rooted conviction. As a Christian, I believe that tragedy is not the final word in life. It is important that even when times are the most difficult we don’t lose vision of the future, of our hope, of the good that we have in this life.
Today, I encourage you to celebrate what is good, even amidst the trails you may face. To give to those in Japan so that they may be able to celebrate again. Ez is running a sale to donate all her proceeds to the cause, I just bought the cupcake print above, which is so pretty. Cake with Giants is another store giving away proceeds this week and here is information for a local organization if you’d like to donate. Also a prayer for Japan and the world, from a man I greatly respect, in case you may want to read it.
Tomorrow I will participate in the bloggers day of silence for Japan. May you celebrate through the joys and trials of what life may bring this weekend.
blessings.
I love what you wrote about celebrating what it good. Thanks for sharing this. :)
This is a wonderful post.
Today is the two year anniversary of a miscarriage my family suffered, and this is just what I needed to read.
Jami, I am so sorry to hear that. The lose of life is such a tragic event. I hope that celebrating through your pain can bring renewed joy to life even this sad anniversary.
Thank you so much for your kind comment.
I’m not sure that all of our questions will ever be answered… especially in tragic situations like what our Japanese brothers and sisters are enduring. But after some time I am able to say that I believe that what John Piper prays is true… “In Jesus you tasted loss. In Jesus you shared the overwhelming flood of our sorrows and suffering. In Jesus you are a sympathetic Priest in the midst of our pain.”
Again, thank you for this post.
What a wonderful post, and a beautiful perspective on tragedy.
Lovely words Victoria – thankyou. I am off to appreciate the little things, Stephie x
Yes our hearts are with them. Thanks for helping support Japan.
:)
~Tabitha
Thanks so much for mentioning Japan. I’ve been surrounded by people who don’t even bring it up although it’s such a huge tragedy. The blogs I usually follow haven’t brought it up either. I just found your blog today and will be following it.
Thank you, Victoria. Having a reminder of true perspective is such a blessing in the midst of the destruction. I so respect you for writing this post!