by Lynn Heatley, Recently, my husband and I moved from our home of 30+ years in Chino Hills back to my hometown of Riverside, CA. I have lived in the Inland Empire (IE) all my life (IE known as Riverside and San Bernardino counties). Although the area is sometimes disdained by outsiders, the people in the Inland Empire have amazing hearts of generosity and are the most down to earth people I know and who have very caring hearts. I love the IE.
I have had the honor of leading prayer gatherings across the region for the past 20 years and so when the shooting rampage happened this past Wednesday in San Bernardino, it felt like it had happened to a friend. When I used to lead Inland Empire Prayer Gatherings, we would refer to the counties of Riverside and San Bernardino as the twin regions because the 2 counties have a special affinity to one another. Even now, although I live in Riverside, the area where the shooting occurred is only 15 minutes from my home. And it is with great grief that I and thousands of others are still processing all that has happened. We are just beginning to grieve, especially now that the news reports are beginning to focus on other areas.
It is hard to imagine being on your job and getting ready to have a Holiday party with your coworkers when all of a sudden, 2 individuals walk in and begin shooting with great intent to kill. The stories we have all been hearing and reading have painted a bigger picture….but what we often don’t understand is the trauma that takes place from the sights, sounds and unimaginable fear of seeing others dying around you and everyone, including yourself, in a state of pure panic. I am so grateful for the law enforcement and first responders who came and gave immediate aid…but i have no doubt, they were also traumatized by what they saw and experienced. As a Hospice Nurse, I have been with patients who have taken their last breath on many occasions…always a somber occasion….and yet even with my years of experience in walking with the dying and their families, it is still hard for me to wrap my heart and mind around what happened on Wednesday.
Although the limelight on San Bernardino is beginning to fade, I would ask that you would please continue to pray for all those involved in any direct or indirect way (see below for an easy way to mobilize prayer*). Our region is just beginning to get past the numbness of the event and so the true reality of grieving is beginning. I am grateful for the many leaders I know in the city who are extending help, aid, skill and spiritual support…may the Lord continue to use the regional community and beyond to minister love, grace and healing to the multitudes now. It is not a time for being political, it is a time to embrace. And in this Christmas season, may we take heart and gain strength knowing that Jesus left Heaven to come and forgive, redeem and restore all of us and give us an abiding hope and joy that is bigger than anything that is happening around us.
The Lord is good and His love endures forever.- Psalm 136
This is true even when we lack understanding of why things happen.
May you experience afresh our Jesus, known as Immanuel and the Prince of Peace. Our God promises to be with us always and desires to soothe our hearts with His healing and peace. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.-Psalm 34:18
With prayers of blessings, healing and peace to you and your loved ones in this holy season.
Lynn Heatley
Healthy Leaders Thriving Cities
www.thrivingcities.org
* MOBILIZING PRAYER – Getting people to join you for SOS praying is not difficult. One of the easiest ways that you can do this is by setting up a Free Conference Call account through one of the many offered (I use https://www.freeconferencecall.com) When a crisis happens and you need to call others to join you in prayer, simply send out a text or email with the nature of the prayer request, a date and time and give the Phone number and access code to those you are inviting in. Then join in on the call at the appointed time and be encouraged as others join you to pray together and seek God’s help in your time of need (So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.-Hebrews 4:16)