I'm guessing that most people checking this blog are aware of the hard things that have happened in our community, and more pointed in the GUMC family, in the last week. It's such a difficult situation that has understandably taken a big toll on Todd and his family, and because of his leadership on this project there is a residual effect here as well. I just pray that our church community will be able to minister to both sides of this situation in a compassionate way, understanding that it is possible to offer support to the Buddings while still acknowledging the terrible violation and harm that was done to the Reddings and other victims. This is the kind of thing that can tear a church family apart. I pray that will not be the case here. For it also holds the potential to strengthen the faith of all those involved and make the GUMC family stronger if we can move through it with understanding and grace for all. I pray it will be the latter of the two options. For I would hate to see either of these families feel abandoned or betrayed by their church family in any way.
I was a bit out of the loop on the project while we were out of town, but I'm wondering if there were unsettling things happening there as well. There is a post by Brenda on her blog addressing the mutterings of lottery winnings 13 years ago, and if this family is "deserving enough". For anyone who is wondering, and it is simply human nature that we all would, and missed her post here is the link:
A Million$$ Jackpot Lottery Winner Story
Just like we all are currently striving to find ways to respond to the current complex situation, I hope we can understand that there are complexities involved in the life of the McDonald family that make nothing that has happened easy to understand.
I pray that the 1707 Project will continue, and that as we work to help heal the wounds in their family and burned home, that it will also help us all to find ways to heal the fresh wound that has been inflicted on our own church family. God is so much greater than all these things, and it is so often too easy to loose sight of that.
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Monique, your thoughts are appreciated. As for the McDonald family; our commitment to this project has been unconditional from the beginning. We commit to helping our fellow man because of our calling to show love and compassion to others, as Christians. God forbid every Christian act be pre-empted with a judgement of worthiness, or examination of need. We give simply because that is what we are called to do. No conditions, no pre-requisites, no judgement. That is not our role. Please reassure the McDonald family that our efforts are given with love, and it is a wonderful gift from them to allow us to do so!
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