Terror in Boston

On April 19, 1775, a farmer fired a rifle in between Boston and Concord.  It was known as the "shot heard 'round the world" and was later immortalized by Ralph Waldo Emerson in "Concord's Hymn."  

"By the rude bridge that arched the flood,

Their flag to April's breeze unfurled;  

Here once the embattled farmers stood; 

and fired the shot heard 'round the world."

 

"Patriot's Day" is held in Massachusetts every year on the third Monday in April and commemorates the first two battles of The Revolutionary War.  The Battle's of Lexington and Concord.  It is also known as "Marathon Monday" in Boston where tea was once spilled into the harbor in protest of a tea tax.

Some came from all over the world to run in the Boston Marathon,  which speaks to its prestigious legacy.  It is the world's oldest annual Marathon, begun in 1897.  Some just like to watch the race and some come to root for a friend or loved one who qualified to run.  With the Stars and stripes unfurled, folks from all over came out to have some fun on a nice sunny day with their friends and family and to watch the race.

But this last "Marathon Monday" in Boston, in the middle of the race near the finish line, that "shot heard 'round the world" was dwarfed by the sound of two IED's, or "Improvised Explosive Devices," that detonated into the crowd and turned a very fun day into a nightmare for hundreds of people.  The bombs were approximately 100 yards apart, and detonated within 7 to 10 seconds of each other.

After the smoke had cleared, rescuers found two dead, including an 8 year old child.  One more person died later from their injuries, making the death toll 3, with 176 injured, 17 of them still in critical condition.

At approximately 2:55 pm, EST on Monday, the two IED's, stuffed into regular everyday looking back packs, exploded into the crowd at two points near the finish line of the race.  After the explosions, people were seen helping as much as they could, even a former New England Patriot's guard, Joe Andruzzi, who's 3 brother's are New York City firefighters, was photographed carrying a woman, who was injured in the blast, to the waiting ambulances for help.  Andruzzi is just one.  I know there were a lot of other hero's on Monday, especially our First Responders and we should all be extremely grateful to them for their professionalism and how they were on the mark in every way this last Monday.  The United States trains the best First Responders in the world!

 

To live in fear of the terrorists doesn't help anybody but the terrorists.  That's exactly what they want, for us to live in fear of them or future more violent attacks.  Just remember, "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love." (1 John 4:18).  God doesn't want us to live in fear, because as Jesus said, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."  (John 10:10).  

 

It's amazing that more people were not hurt or killed on Monday, so we should be thankful that somehow the damage was minimal.  I have prayed, and will continue to pray for the good people of Boson, and those who were injured and the families who are grieving for their lost loved ones.  I have cried for the victims in Boston, the people who were horrifically injured, and for the people who were traumatized beyond what they can handle.  I know that the Lord is with them, and I pray even more fervently that they will seek His face, and His will for their lives.

I know that the good men and women of the FBI and the Boston Police Department and others who have offered to help have released photos of the perpetrators and they will be caught, and justice will be served.

You are in our thoughts and prayers Boston....God will not forsake you.  He is holding you up.  He will restore you, for He loves you.  He loves us all.

May God be with the victims of this in-human act of terror.