Faith Feels Distant After the Boston Marathon Bombing

I didn’t think I’d be writing about tragedy again so soon. But here I am... trying to find words for something that feels impossible to understand.

The Boston Marathon Bombing happened just days ago. And all I can think about is how quickly joy can turn into terror. People lined those streets to celebrate... to cheer for strangers who had trained and pushed themselves to finish something hard. And in an instant, all that celebration turned to chaos and grief.

I watched the footage on the news... runners falling to the ground, smoke filling the air, sirens cutting through the confusion. It feels like the world is breaking in new ways all the time. And no matter how much I try to wrap my mind around it, it doesn’t make sense.

I keep thinking about the people who rushed toward the danger instead of away from it. Strangers pulling strangers to safety... hands reaching out when everything else was falling apart. There’s something in that... something about light in the darkness, even when the darkness feels unbearable.

But it’s hard. I’ll be honest... it’s hard to hold on to faith when the world feels so broken. It’s hard to believe in goodness when there’s so much pain and hatred.

I remember writing about Sandy Hook not too long ago. How writing felt like trying to hold onto light even when everything else was dark. I guess that’s what I’m trying to do now... reaching for something steady, even when it feels like everything is shaking.

I don’t know how to pray about this. But I keep coming back to the same verse... “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18).

Maybe that’s what I need to believe right now... that He’s close. Closer than the violence and the grief and the anger. Closer than the fear.

Here is a prayer for all of us
Lord, I don’t understand why these things happen. I don’t understand how to hold faith when it feels like everything is crumbling. But if You are near... if You are with the brokenhearted... then please be near to all those who are grieving now. Be near to those who feel crushed by fear and loss. And help me to believe You are still here.