We ask Why Lord?

Please note, this post DOES have some graphic information in it, read on knowing that.

The week started Sunday with the news that "B" was in labor and having April-Rose. It quickly deteriorated into the reality that is today, the whole thing was a hoax, a scam. It leaves us with many hurts, questions and in some cases anger. Who is that anger with? "B"? God? Ourselves for "falling" for the con?

People ask how it could happen? How could someone be so cruel? How could someone "take advantage" of well meaning people that would pray for a sick child that isn't even born yet?

It happens, and the thing is, it happens in everyday life day after day. It's all over the media.

2 weeks ago, my sons school was rocked when we heard that a mother had pushed her two children off a 75 foot bridge, killing the 4 yr. old son and seriously injuring the 7 yr old daughter.

This past weekend, a 21 yr old woman, in her final weeks of her pregnancy, went to pick up clothing from someone that listed them on Craigslist, only to be murdered and have the unborn child cut from her womb.

We hear of Parent Volunteers taking the Soccer Club money; the Aide to an Elderly person cleaning out the persons Jewelry or checking accounts.

So is what "B" really any different? Unfortunately, not so much. She wrote a great story, and we believed it. It's that simple.

What she really did though, was bring together a large community that prayed together for an unborn child. How many started to pray for the first time and continued to pray daily when they heard that story? How many will pray for the first time for the family of Amanda Stott-Smith and her surviving daughter Trinity and continue to pray for them over the years to come? How many will pray for the first time for the family of Heather Snively as they prepare to bury their daughter and grandson and then continue to pray for them?

Is this the lesson that we are to get from these horrific events? More than the people that got hurt, I truly feel that we need to be praying for those that perpetrate these horrific acts. Can you imagine being in that much pain that you need to create an elaborate web of lies? How much time did that take to put it together and keep story lines straight? How much pain must you be in to throw your children, who are kicking and screaming, off a bridge in the middle of the night? How much pain must you be feeling to .... do you get my point?

These people, however much "hatred" we might hold towards them, deserve our prayers as much as the innocent victims.

Even Jesus when on the Cross, asked his Father to Forgive those that were killing him. We owe the same to these people and we need to pray for them.

Father, I ask that you watch over all those mentioned above. Father we know that YOU will be the one that ultimately they will face. No amount of punishment on this earth can make these situations better, but we can ask that YOU come into their lives; I ask that their hearts and minds be softened just enough to open up and let you in.

Father, I ask that you provide comfort to those that are hurt by these peoples actions. It may be from near or afar, but people are hurting. Allow us to forgive, allow us to pray, allow us to grieve, allow us to be angry, most of all, allow us to continue to love and trust that you are the Hope we need in our life.

We ask these things in your name.

Amen