Life

A one word title. It can be used as a statement, it can be a desire, or it can be perceived as a question. Normally I process my emotions through the filter of logic. My oldest daughter calls this the Vulcan in me. I have learned that it is a coping mechanism consistent with survivors of trauma. It goes something like this.

Step 1: Identify emotion rising to the surface.

Step 2: Identify the stimuli for said emotion.

Step 3: Determine if this emotion is beneficial for my being at present; if yes—allow emotion to have its time, if no—dispel emotion and move forward.

I am recognizing that the experience of today would be better served raw and unfiltered than tempered with days of analysis. You see, as I was at work today, sewing at a men’s clothing store, all my coworkers came running into my tailor shop seeking cover. “Call 9-1-1,” they shouted. “There’s a shooter outside!” I do just that and relay the details I was given to the dispatch operator. Our tuxedo delivery truck driver witnessed two police officers get a suspect to the ground. Suddenly, the man broke free brandishing a gun. He dropped one officer, injured the other, and took off in their police SUV. Within moments a fleet of emergency vehicles were on the scene. I watched as EMTs worked their life-saving techniques, a responding officer put his hands on his head in disbelief of what was happening, and the two wounded officers were sped away in ambulances.

As I got in my car to go home, less than 20 yards from my parked car, I watched as they packed up the remains of the equipment that had been cut off the officers. I cried as the thoughts that had been sneaking into my brain settled in. I remembered when my brother was on the local force. If he was an hour past shift his wife would text me to see if I’d heard from him. I would say no and we’d both sit in anxiousness until we knew he was okay. Today the loved ones of three officers (another shot in a further altercation) would not get the rush of relief to hear all is well. Instead, life has shifted and another realization comes. That realization is affirmed that every day of this life is precious and not to be taken for granted.

We also approach two weeks of people in Ukraine being confronted with this realization. So much pain and loss is hard to face. Some would use these moments to question how a benevolent God would allow such things to happen. For me, it is a reminder that this life is not what He wanted for us. We were not made for doing harm to our neighbor. That came with mankind’s rebellion and our awakening to evil.

“And the LORD God commanded the man, ‘You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.'” Genesis 2:16-17 NIV

This morning, before leaving for work, my daughter was listening to one of her favorite YouTube shows called Cinema Therapy. They were dissecting the movie by looking at the dichotomy of good and evil. The therapist on the show, Jonathan Decker, referenced a book he has been reading called “Made for Goodness: and why this makes all the difference” by Desmond Tutu & Mpho Tutu. His take away was, “The default setting for people is goodness and kindness and decency.” Like the meme of two toddlers of different races walking with their arms around each other that says racism is a learned behavior, mankind comes forth in innocence. It isn’t until the pernicious taint of darkness and evil pollutes their spirit that this is lost.

Yet, it isn’t the fall of man that I mean to focus on after today’s events. Adam and Eve were told they were “free to eat from any tree in the garden” minus one, but there was a second tree mentioned in scripture. What was the name of that tree? The tree of life. (Gen 2:9) God fully meant for us to have lives of goodness, kindness, and decency that would never end and never know pain. That being denied us, He devised another way.

“I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:9-10

Jesus is the gate, the way back into God’s garden. The thief (the devil) seeks to destroy us and keep us separated from God. Jesus, being lifted up on the cross, became the new tree of life. You can freely partake in this tree with Jesus as your savior and find eternal life. Remembering that life is precious, and this mortal life is fleeting, and we should not take it for granted.

God be with the officers, their families, and the people of Ukraine. Amen.