After the Tragedy Comes the Next
A basic fact of life is that no matter how bad the tragedy, no matter how many tears we shed, there is always a next. The next is where hope abides. The next is what we figure out when we tell our kids that a bad thing has happened but we will go on, there will still be Elmo and Sponge Bob. The next is what happens when we tell our employees to take the rest of the day off to be with their families and come back to work tomorrow morning. The next is when we have dinner ready when our husbands come home and convince them, that things will be ok at home while they are away. When tragedies happen, we all come together, families, friends and even strangers huddle together for protection, comfort, and understanding. We cling to hope and pray for understanding. Then comes the next.
photo credit: QueenNeveen via photopin cc
As we sit and try to figure out what happened in Boston, as we seek to understand the who, what, when, where, why and the how, it is important for us to hold on to the knowledge that the next is coming. We cannot change the bad thing that happened. In truth, we may not be able to prevent similar tragedies from taking place in the future. What we can do is be assured that next is coming. The next is important because in the next we have power, we have control, we have hope and we have possibilities. In the next, we can reach out and do kind things for the families of those who died in the tragedy. In the next, we can look for ways to be of service to the survivors. In the next, we can look for ways to comfort those around us who were not directly affected or involved but are hurting. The tragedy has happened, now comes, the next.
The next thing, the next step, the next action to take varies from person to person. There is no definitive thing to do next. Undoubtedly, we will all be doing something next. Some will ignore the events and pretend they never happened. Some will look for ways to be of service to the survivors. Some will try to figure out the whys and the hows. One thing we will all do is whatever is next. Because like it or not, deny it or not, want it or not, the next is coming. In conclusion, it is terrific to know that we do not stay in tragedy forever, the next arrives. Just like the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, the next is coming. So, the question for you this terrific day is, now that we have experienced this tragedy, what is your next?
I enjoyed browsing through your blog! And it’s nice to see people focusing on what’s beyond tragedy.
Have fun with a-z.
There is peace and comfort in a relationship with God and knowing that it will all work out !
Thanks for stopping by I returned the favor and was treated to an interesting post.
Thanks, I am glad you liked it and thanks for stopping by.
Sometimes the tragedy is overwhelming and we don’t know what to do, but life goes on, so we don’t have to figure it all out at once.
Your next is the best next! BTW I am glad you Dad is doing better. Nifty at ninety is indeed a wonderful thing to be.
It’s so comforting for me to know that God will work all this for good, if we trust Him. Our times are in His hands, so, my next is to continue to love and honor God, and appreciate my family. Happy A to Z!
MakingtheWriteConnections
Excellent N post. There is always a next isn’t there?
Connie
A to Z-ing
Peanut Butter and Whine
A timely post with a very fine message. Sometimes it’s personally hard to accept it, but life does go on. And that is the good news.
very good perspective. Time does go on. Life goes on, no matter the tragedy. Sadly, there WILL be other tragedies….we are in a fallen world. My hope is in God. In Him alone are we truly secure. HE is my next. 🙂 Stopping in from the a-z. You are a good writer. Visit me, if you’d like:
from The Dugout