A Cry for Help

Not one to spend a lot of time reading the newspapers, the headlines "Cheers and tears as dramatic rescue unfolds" in yesterday's local newspapers grabbed the Swallow's attention, and she read the news about the efforts that were made to rescue thirty-three miners who were trapped deep underground in Chile.

In relatively-safe-from-natural-disasters Singapore, the Swallow may not have to bear what the miners' wives and families are bearing, yet the Swallow can imagine the horror of having a loved one trapped when natural disasters befall a country - in the raging waters when a tsunami hits, in the cold mountains when there is an avalanche, or in this case, in the deep and dark underground for more than a month.  Tears ran down the Swallow's face when she read all these stories.  There was a connection.  What if one of these men was her mate, or her young one?

Of course the Swallow hopes not to experience the torture of not knowing whether her mate or her young one will be brought out alive from the depths of the ocean, or from the bowels of the earth.  Yet life is full of the unexpected because sin abounds - the careless driver on the road, the faulty mechanism of the aeroplane or other vehicles, or an object thrown down from a high-rise building.  Pain, sorrow, tears and death cannot be avoided.

However, at times like these, the Swallow can continue to cling on to her Lord God and the promises in His word...

Revelations 21 : 1 (NIV)
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.

Revelations 21 : 3 - 4 (NIV)
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them.  They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God.  He will wipe every tear from their eyes.  There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

PART THE WATERS (author unknown)

When I think I'm going under, "Part the waters, Lord."
When I feel the waves around me, "Calm the sea."
When I cry for help, "O hear me Lord, and hold out Your hand,
Touch my life, still the raging storm in me."

Knowing You love me
Helps me face another day
Hearing Your footsteps
Drives the clouds of fears away
And in the night of my life
You bring the promise of day
Here is my hand, show me the way...

When I think I'm going under, "Part the waters, Lord."
When I feel the waves around me, "Calm the sea."
When I cry for help, "O hear me Lord, and hold out Your hand,
Touch my life, still the raging storm in me."

Knowing You love me
Through the burdens I must bear
Hearing Your footsteps
Lets me know I'm in Your care
And in the tears of my life
I see the sorrow You bore
Here is my pain, heal it once more...

When I think I'm going under, "Part the waters, Lord."
When I feel the waves around me, "Calm the sea."
When I cry for help, "O hear me Lord, and hold out Your hand,
Touch my life, still the raging storm in me.
Touch my life, still the raging storm in me."

Yes, with her life in the hands of her sovereign Lord, her tears will be but for a moment.