I, just like every other person in America, was horrified by the images and stories coming from Boston in the wake of the bombing earlier this week.  I tried to stay up-to-date on the latest information, but had to sneak glimpses of news coverage while turning on a kiddie show, or search for developments online while the boys were riding bikes to spare them from seeing such a tragedy.  They’re just too young to deal with it all.

I, just like everyone else, am angry.  I don’t live anywhere near where the action took place, but I was scared anyway.  I’m confused, and felt distracted for days… days which included more tragedy and trouble: flooding in Chicagoland, the fertilizer plant explosion in Texas, and local crime, to name just a few examples.

I’m grateful for the heros… those who are highly-trained, and those who just saw a need and filled it (like this, and this, and this, ).  It seems that we, as a nation, have once again agreed to band together and resolved to let love and good triumph over hate and evil.  And I am grateful for that too.

I mourn with those who have lost lives, limbs, loved ones, and innocence.  And I have been in constant prayer for all of the above.

I also mourn with and pray for the suspects and their families.  There are lots of reports from different family members.  Most feel disgusted and ashamed and some didn’t seem to be all that surprised.  But the suspects’ mother maintains that they are innocent, despite the glaring evidence to the contrary.  And I have to admit, I can’t fault her for wanting to think the best of her babies.  The older of the two suspects is dead, leaving behind an (reportedly) unsuspecting wife and young child.  How tragic for that baby.  One day, (s)he will be old enough to wonder what happened to Daddy.  And one day, someone will have to sit down and explain what happened.  Oh, how I pray for that moment in time… even now.

The younger brother was captured alive last night.  I know he’s technically a man, since he’s 19 years old.  But you guys – look at the photos.  He’s just a boy.  So young!

As the story of his capture unfolded, I couldn’t help but put myself in his shoes for a moment… or maybe his mama’s shoes.  He was gravely injured, and all alone; and he the single most-hated, most-wanted person in the entire country for four long days.  I just keep picturing my babies curled up on the floor of that boat.  Bleeding.  Cold.  Scared.  I wonder what was running through his mind.  Was he just trying to muster up the energy to plan his next move?  Did he ever, even for a second, consider giving up peacefully?  Did he cry, longing for someone to wake him from this nightmare with a hug and a few reassuring words?

Don’t get me wrong.  He committed some truly heinous, despicable, life-altering and evil acts that will not likely be forgotten anytime soon.  And he deserves to be punished to the fullest extent possible.

But he was still created in the very image of God, just like the rest of us.  Jesus died for him, too.

I read an interview online in which the suspects’ uncle discussed the situation, and felt that the older brother had fallen in with an extremist group who “mentored” him, and persuaded him to do something like this… and that he somehow convinced his little brother to get involved as well.  At the end of the piece, the uncle said, ”

“I was relieved that he is alive.  At least he has a chance to ask for forgiveness for those that he victimized, as well as there is a chance now for enforcement agencies to get to the bottom of it.  For a 19-year-old kid, I do not even believe (that) he would (have) been in full comprehension of what he’s been doing. For the sake of seeking forgiveness for himself, I don’t know how long his life is going to be, but I know it will be way easier for him if he receives that forgiveness for those he made to suffer.”

I can only pray that he takes advantage of the chance he’s been given.  I hope he asks for forgiveness from God first, and then like his uncle said, from the families who will suffer for the rest of their lives because of his actions.  Clearly, one way or another, his life as a “normal American teenager” is over.  He’ll either spend the rest of his days in jail, or be executed in one fashion or another.  But for as long as he remains alive on the earth, I pray that he humbly repents.

In the meantime, America, let’s stay vigilant.  For we know from experience that this will not be the last time we have to deal with such shenanigans.  And when they happen again, may we look up, rise up, and carry on together, stronger and wiser than ever before.

***Edited to add: I can’t mention the term “forgiveness” without thinking of a new(ish) song (by Matthew West) with the same name.  If you’re unfamiliar with the history of the song, it was inspired by the true story of a woman who willingly and sincerely offered forgiveness to the man who killed her daughter in a drunk-driving accident.  Eventually, she even lobbied to have him released from prison, and they are now close friends.  Here are the lyrics (click on the song title to hear the song):

Forgiveness