March 8

Written by Bill Grandi on March 8th, 2022

I shed tears yesterday. Twice. Maybe close to three. Different occasions. Different times of the day.

The first time was early morning. Jo shared a FB post that my Ukrainian friend, Zee, shared about  her, Sam, Zhenya (Jenny) and Zhora (George). Sam is serving his country on the streets of Kyiv. Until Saturday, Zee and the 2 children were in a church basement. But everyone left and it behooved her to leave as well. They made their way to Zee’s mother’s apartment in a less populated section of Kyiv. But still the air raid sirens lead them to hunker down in a hallway until the threat passed. She hadn’t heard from Sam for most of the day and was beginning to feel some panic set in. She finally contacted his commander and found out Sam was fine…and getting a much-deserved time of sleep.

The second  time was later in the day as I was reading a promo booklet from Operation Heal Our Patriots by Samaritan’s Purse. They have a lodge in Alaska where wounded vets and their spouses can go for healing. Body, mind. spirit and soul. I wept as I read the stories of vets who found healing for their wounded minds and hearts and spouses found healing for their marriage. Some even found Jesus. Knowing some vets from Iraq and Afghanistan brought it home even more. I’m a sucker for “once I was blind but now I see” stories.

Sandwiched between those two incidents I was able to sense God’s work up close and personal. I (side)-hugged a friend who took a huge step away from abuse and toward freedom.  I didn’t shed a tear…but I could have (probably because it was a very public place). 🙂

I don’t pretend to know all the answers. I just know Someone who does. I look at Job. I look at Abraham. Men who trusted when all seemed lost. I want to hold Sam, Zee, Jenny and George in a group hug and affirm God’s presence and power and peace. I want to stand with those vets and spouses and affirm God’s victory in their life (and also thank them). I’ll have to settle for a virtual hug from afar. The one up close I will continue supporting with encouraging words.

What an amazing God we serve. The country of Ukraine. The far northern state of Alaska.  The real close and person small town of Spencer.  Anywhere. Anytime.

“Father, I worship You because You are Omnipresent. You are Omnipotent. You are Omniscient. Thanks for the tears and the chance to give a virtual hug of support as well as the one of encouragement.”

 

8 Comments so far ↓

  1. Glynn says:

    I think we’re all weeping over Ukraine. Pastoral missionaries supported by our church stayed as long as they could for their own church, but they finally had to flee an area under bombardment.

    • Bill Grandi says:

      I have a “blogging friend” who is a pastor in Odessa. I have not heard from him since this all started. it is a real struggle to not be angry but to pray. Thanks for taking the time to comment Glynn.

  2. Diane Ronzino says:

    You have me welling up! What a beautiful heart you have, Bill. Thank you for this post. Thank You, Abba!

  3. Even if we don’t know anyone personally in the Ukraine, this horrible conflict has brought us all to tears and, hopefully, to our knees in prayer for the innocent victims of this needless fighting. I do pray that your friends will stay safe, Bill! My post today is about Ukraine.
    Blessings!

    • Bill Grandi says:

      i agree and hope that it brings us all to our knees in prayer. I have already commented on your post. It was an excellent one and I hope people will check it out.

  4. Ryan S. says:

    It is a difficult time for sure… on many fronts, for many people.
    I continue to pray for those in the Ukraine. Bill, I think you bring home a good point though, You don’t have to look around the globe to recognize the pain and suffering in the world. I am going to make it a point to reach out today to someone who is hurting and just let them know I am thinking and praying for them. A virtual side-hug.

    • Bill Grandi says:

      If I could inspire that in others Ryan I would feel very satisfied. Thanks for taking on that task.