Running into Eternity

Hannah before the race.

Heading towards the finish line.

In a few terrorizing moments, life changed unexpectedly for a number of Americans watching and celebrating the athletic prowess of runners at the Boston Marathon. For those who lost loved ones, their lives will never be the same. For those that were maimed, their lives will change as they adapt to their new reality. For those that were just there and witnessed the chaos, it will be forever etched in their memories changing their sense of security.

A phone call from a friend in Texas on Monday afternoon awoke us to the fact that something had gone terribly wrong at the finish line in Boston. Our daughter Hannah had promised to text us and her boys whom we were babysitting as soon as she crossed the finish line. Her official time postings had shown she was running strong. But it was not like her to not keep her word. An hour and a half later, I brushed it off assuming she was busy with the logistics of finishing the race. Then came the phone call.

My heart sank as my husband relayed the phone message about the explosions. Please Lord, not her, not now. We quickly turned on Fox news trying to assess the horror. Grabbing my computer I started to go online to see if we could find any more news. A Facebook message popped up. In spite of jammed communications, our son-in-law Nick had been able to get through and post a message that he, Hannah and her best friend Melissa were okay. The sweetest news we could have heard.

We have no doubt that God spared their lives. Towards the end of the race Hannah was in so much pain from her hip that once she crossed the finish line they wheeled her to the medic tent, a half-a-block from the explosion. She was supposed to meet her husband at the finish line but once he realized she was missing, he used his phone locator to find her which drew him away from the ill-fated location. Shortly after the bombs exploded.

In retrospect, I have no answer as to why God was so merciful to us. I do know that I grabbed Hannah as she was getting into the car to head for the airport and prayed with her, specifically for her safety. (Moms always pray for safety before success!) I do know that her godly grandmother and her aunt felt compelled the morning of the race to pray specifically for her safety. I do know that God has us in His hands, no matter what the outcome. On Monday, He guarded her against all harm and our lives were protected from the devastating change that affected so many. It means she and her husband can return to their sons and their relatively normal life in Colorado. We can leave Saturday for Mozambique, to continue our ministry.

But what if her life had not been spared? It would have changed things here on earth for her family and friends. But it would not have changed her eternity. Long ago she accepted Christ as her Savior leaving her eternal destiny in the hands of a never-changing God. She has been very blessed. Not so for so many in Mozambique.

Hannah grew up in a Christian home while many in Mozambique grow up with ancestral worship. Hannah attended a Bible-believing church all of her life while many in Mozambique attend rituals of witchcraft. Hannah graduated from a Christian college while many in Mozambique can't even read. Yet death is a constant companion for so many in Mozambique through malnourishment, malaria and AIDS.

It is with a thankful heart tonight that I celebrate my daughter's life as well as the lives of her husband and best friend. It is also with a thankful heart that we prepare for our return to Mozambique. We have the privilege of sharing our never-changing God in an ever-changing world.

(We would like to thank everyone who has so faithfully supported us and this ministry! The sacrificial prayers and financing are such a blessing. It is a privilege to work with Children's Relief International out of Rockwall, TX and the Ray of Light Project with Jeronimo and Noemia Cessito in Dondo, Mozambique.)