Very Bad Days

“ACTIVE SHOOTER, RUN!” I had just pulled my cart up to the register at our local Cosco as Ben happily went off to get a hot dog. In one second, everything changed. I looked around and knew immediately it was time to get out…NOW!

With credit card in one hand and purse in the other, I abandoned my cart and took off with the crowd. We briskly pushed through a long, narrow exit to the outside. I then began to run as fast and far away as I could, hoping I’d catch up with Ben soon.

It wasn’t until we were safely home that we found out what really happened. A “masked” man had entered Cosco, smashed a jewelry case, pulled out a handgun, stole an undetermined amount of jewelry and then fled the scene with someone else. We had a “taste” of something very bad that day at Cosco. Thankfully, it wasn’t as bad as it could have been.

I think many of us are tired of the “very bad.” We’re tired of COVID. We’re tired of the unrest and volatility and hatred. We’re weary of systematic racism. We weary of the loss of life and spiking cases. We’re fearful for this fall season and the spreading of COVID in schools. What do we do? When I don’t know what to do, I pray. Will you join me?

Heavenly Father, We are concerned for the “very bad” things that are going on right now. Lord, each of us has been affected physically, emotionally and spiritually. We are disgusted, mad, angry, hurt, sad, fearful, impatient and just plain tired of all that’s going on. We don’t even know how to handle all of our emotions! So, we come to You, sovereign and perfect God, You, who unlike us, are never down, weary, irritated or impatient. You never mutter “Whatever….” You are always right there for us in the darkest, scariest of moments. Help us not just put our hope in a post-COVID world or a post-racism world or even a post-hatred world, even though we hope for these things! Help us put our hope in You! You, who are at work in ways we’ll only understand later. You, who use even the “very bad” in our lives for good. You, who sent your one and only Son to take on the sins of this world. You, who give us the glorious future in heaven as we trust in You. I lift my eyes to the glorious hope in the words of this song. Keep my heart in synch with this hope, Lord: “There will be a day with no more tears, no more pain, and no more fears. There will be a day when the burdens of this place, Will be no more, we’ll see Jesus face to face. But until that day, we’ll hold on to you always.” (Jeremy Camp, There Will Be a Day) Thank you, Lord, for that reminder.... I needed it! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

So, until that day, I’m gonna’ hold on to Him always. Hope has a name and His name is Jesus. He will get you through every “very bad” day.

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.