A couple of weekends ago Mo and I participated in the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon commemorating the 10th anniversary of the bombing that claimed so many innocent lives. Mo ran in a marathon relay and I walked a half marathon. We went with some friends who had family in the area and got to listen to first hand accounts of that day and those that followed. Our friend Todd actually worked in the district and drove past the bomb 2 minutes before it went off. We spent the day before the race touring the memorial grounds with Todd as our personal tour guide and reading the many heartfelt messages that were left in remembrance. The "empty chairs" is just amazing. The destruction was unbelievable. It was so enlightening and tender but perhaps the most profound was the statue right outside the memorial. It is a statue of Jesus with his back to the bombing site and his hands covering his face as he weeps. And the simple words, "Jesus wept."
What a reminder that Jesus knows everything but is still saddened by our sin. He feels what we feel and loves us anyway. The heart is heavy and it makes you wonder about the evil that exists in this world that it can makes a mind think destroying people in such a massive way is appropriate. It was disturbing.
Perhaps the most awesome realization for me was on race day. As I walked the 13.1 miles, people lined the streets, cheering and offering encouragement. Music played from homes and people tailgated while enjoying the scenes and their neighbors. Posters honoring those who perished and thanksgiving for "those who walk and run for those who can't" littered every mile. Make shift concession stands with kids handing homemade treats and drinks nourished us each step while live music blared for the last 2 miles.
And in the final stretch, I become very aware, the bombing has nothing on this city. Good prevails. God is good all the time. The people of Oklahoma City have risen form the ashes and are a better and stronger city because of it. What evil seeks to destroy, the Lord brings blessings.
2 comments:
That is amazing! Glad you guys were a part of it. Miss you!
my city! :) Rachel Churchill ran that marathon, too!
I'm missing you, sweets! I like your old job better so you could call on traveling days! sniff sniff.
xoxox love you!
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