The Whole World in His Hands

Don't know if this pic was doctored by photoshop or not (probably yes), but I like the concept. I feel it, too. What's more, in light of all that's going on in Haiti, I find it immensely comforting.

Knowing that the Lord is in charge––that, to coin a popular gospel song, "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands"––is a necessary element in my life, and I am far from alone in this need. When dealing with loss of any kind, bringing God into the equation suddenly makes enduring and even coming out the other end seem possible. On Martin Luther King Day, it feels appropriate to remember that, without his belief in a loving God whose interest and support included every one of His children, Dr. King might never have given the famous "I Have a Dream" speech. In fact, without the inspiration that comes from faith in a Supreme Being, Dr. King might never have had a dream at all.

Loss is a heartbreaking fact of life on the earth, whether it is loss of life, loss of liberty, or loss of a dream. We all struggle with it, but most of us do come out the other side, and God has a hand in that. More than a hand.

I attended a funeral on Saturday for the mother of one of my husband's bishopric counselors. She was the beloved matriarch of a large, wonderful family; and it was a privilege to hear the beautiful music, memories, and testimonies shared. This is a family that knows, collectively and individually, that the world...and their world...is in the Lord's hands. Their loss is great, but their faith is greater.

My prayer is that the people of Haiti will find the faith and strength to overcome the kind of loss few of us can even imagine. God does hold the whole world in His hands, and now the whole world needs to BE His hands as we reach out to help these Haitian brothers and sisters who are suffering so deeply.

I hope you will give yourself a gift and read this post from a Haitian missionary's blog. I also hope, if you haven't already, that you will consider making a donation to a reputable charity in behalf of the earthquake survivors. In the event you are unaware of a charity that gives 100% of monies collected directly to aiding those in need, feel free to make a donation through my church, where all administrative fees are paid out of a separate fund. (You might want to read this article about a group of LDS doctors who left over the weekend with two plane loads of supplies to minister directly to the people in Port-au-Prince.) Another good option is Partners in Health, mentioned by many of the Haitian blogs, which seems like a good advertisement for their honesty. Food for the Poor is probably a safe bet, too; as I understand it, this is the organization that is helping to distribute the emergency hygiene kits and food donations recently sent by the LDS Church.

“Christ has no body now on earth but yours, no hands but yours, no feet but yours. Yours are the eyes through which Christ’s compassion is to look out to the earth; yours are the feet by which He is to go about doing good, and yours are the hands by which He is to bless us now” Saint Teresa of Avila (1515-1582).