(This was originally written in June of 2017)

On August 6, 1945, the world was forever changed.  We had entered the nuclear age and there was no way to ever go back.  Days leading up to the bombing of Hiroshima President Truman called Japan, warning to “expect a rain of ruin from the air, the like of which has never been seen on this earth.”  The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were the only times in human history that the destructive power of nuclear weapons has been unleashed and it changed the world forever.

As you look at American history you can see the ripple effects of entering the nuclear age.  Bomb shelters, duck and cover drills, and the cold war were grim reminders that there was now a fear that hung silently in the air over us. As time wore on that fear dissipated.  Those that remember that day from a first-hand account are few and far between.  The memories of those who lived in fear of retaliation are beginning to fade.  I suppose time can help you forget but I don’t know if can ever actually heal your wounds.

My world was rocked this week by events that may haunt my mind for weeks, months, and maybe even years to come. Things that can’t be undone, the clock can’t be turned back and I now live in my own nuclear age. Initially, I was just numb with shock. I could feel nothing and was more in disbelief than anything else.  As the reality of what had happened began to wash over me I just wanted to run.  That slowly turned into agony which led to rage.  I sat with my thoughts and tried to make sense of this new world.  I tried to comprehend how to navigate through it.  The only thing I knew for sure was that life would never be the same.

“In my distress I called upon the Lord and cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple and my cry came before Him, even to His ears” – Psalm 18:6

In my darkest hour with pain and hurt that I had never known before I ran to God.  He promised to be faithful and to be my comforter and strong fortress and it was time for him to come through on those promises.  I threw myself at His feet asking him to breathe life back into me.

His love and grace are unconditional and despite my shortcomings, sins, and mistakes he will always love and accept me.  He has always been willing to forgive and forget which seems so impossible to me now.  I know how to forgive but how do you forget?  I suppose that’s where time comes into play.

Life will be forever different but by the grace of God, it will be better.  Only he can take the ashes left by the fires of our life and make something beautiful from it. Only a wholehearted dependence on Him can bring healing.  He is so faithful and can provide comfort to what can seem to be never-ending torment.  He made these promises to me for so long and has delivered on every single one.

So here we are, in this new world.  There are reminders of the destruction that can take place but over time those will fade.  Wounds will heal and new life will begin to grow.  In a strange way, I’m thankful for the fire that I’ve had to walk through.  It helps to remove all of the impurities and leaves you with something that is stronger; something you can cherish.  I look forward to the healing that will come with time and hope that comes with that healing.

For all of us, there will be a day that changes things forever.  It’s at that time that you need to run to God.  It’s easy to try and self-medicate. It’s easy to try and find solace in some other distraction but that will be a fleeting relief from the turmoil.  The only way you can find true peace and healing is by laying down at the foot of the cross and crying out, “Abba Father”.  He will hear your cries and he will wipe away your tears.  He will bring healing and He will bring solace.  Only He can bring beauty from ashes.