Even With Heavy Hearts We Must RISE

Painfully Real...

"When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers, you will always find people who are helping.'"  Fred Rogers

As I wake up here in Gainesville, after watching at my son Michael, who works in the Arts and Medicine department at Shands Hospital, my heart is sad, heavy and hurting for those in Paris.

But as I learned a long time ago we cannot stay stuck in shock searching for the "Why's" for long. We must RISE and ask ourselves,

"What can we do? How do we love? Where can we serve?"

I saw this in action yesterday with what Michael does.

There was hope, comfort and grace in the hospital rooms he visited with the music he sang and played.
A touch of healing to hearts that will get well and comfort to those who won't.

Music is a power gift.

So is Rising and Giving the humble gift of a hug, a prayer, a meal, a ride, to listen, or just to sit next to someone who is hurting and hold their hand.

We humans have so much to give when we open our hearts, even when they are hurting. Lastly, as I wake, I know deep in my heart that nothing changes the character of God. Not even the scary, painful or shocking stuff.
He is still with us no matter what is going on around us.

When we rise, he sustains us.

So how, who or where can we use our gifts to HELP others RISE today??#?beahelperinyourworld?