tragedy and humor

The darker the night - the brighter the stars,
The deeper the grief - the closer God is.

I found this quote on another blog...what a lovely proverb to meditate on. As the days go by and I continue my walk of life, I remember the victims of the hurricane, as well as others who have suffered. It all draws me closer to God.

Recently, I borrowed a book called, "In The Presence Of My Enemies", by Gracia Burnham. She wrote it a year after she was released from a year and eleven days of captivity in the Philippines. She and her husband were missionaries to the people of the Philippines for fifteen years. They had gone on a one day vacation to one of the islands to celebrate their wedding anniversary. They literally had less then 24 hours to enjoy some rest and peace before returning to work. In the morning of their departure, they and 16 other hotel guests were kidnapped and taken hostage by a group of people affiliated with Bin Laden. Although most of the hostages were released after a few months or even weeks, the Burnhams were kept for much longer.

Sadly, Gracia's husband, Martin Burnham was murdered the day they were to be released. I have yet to finish the book, but have been truly blessed to have read some of her story. Blessed is supposed to mean - a deep happiness. Not, giddy and joyful, but deeply happy. Of course, I am not at all happy about the circumstances and death of some of those kidnapped. What impressed me was how the couple responded to their captors. Also, how the group took care of each other and learned how to relate to their captors.

Gracia shares about living in small quarters on a fishing boat and a situation that got her thinking. One of the kidnapped ladies had gotten her period and was worried about how to take care of it. All they had were the clothes they had put on as they were hurried out of the rooms by the captors. Gracia suggested making a pad out of cardboard, which a pair of teenagers began to diligently work at. All of a sudden Gracia heard laughter..."As I watched these girls giggling, I thought to myself, "Isn't it amazing how the human mind can find humor in even the darkest situations"."

So, the quote at the top of today's entry struck a cord and reminded me that through the darkest times of our lives, there is always always always the gifts of love and even humor that are given to us by the Creator as a way of moving closer Him and finding peace in the storm we are facing.

I suppose it isn't a coincidence that God has given me the ability to laugh hard over very simple things. When I laugh, I feel a release from anxiety. I also love to make others laugh. I don't think it is "sacrilegious" to find humor in desperate times...it is necessary to come to terms and to find life, no matter where we are currently at.

Believe me, I am preaching this to myself.