About 30 minutes ago I got off the Smithsonian metro station and started walking towards my destination; the US Holocaust Memorial Museum, USHMM. I’m in the middle of writing a paper of some of the psychological effects of the Holocaust on today’s generation, in particular myself, and needed to finish some much needed research.
When I arrive at 14th and Independence, I notice a large crowd of tourist and onlookers gathering. There was also a conglomerate of police officers and police vehicles (both marked and unmarked) flanking the entire block. News-reporters were running back and forth with their camera crews and patrol officers tried to control the crowd by asking everyone to disperse.
“Maybe the President is visiting the Department of Agriculture (which is in close proximity to the USHMM) I though.” I had no way of getting to my destination and didn’t know what was going on.
When I finally asked a bystander what was happening, they informed me someone, (which has now been confirmed as actually two shooting victims), had just gotten shot at USHMM.
The despair… the Holocaust Memorial Museum of all places?
UPDATE: 6/10/09 @3:31pm
There was so much more I wanted to mention earlier but typing on my Palm Centro for too long can become quite strenuous on both my eyes and thumbs. So here goes “the rub.”
I know the professional news reporters are all over this one, but I needed to share my experience with you… because this unfortunate incident has become a testimony for me.
This morning as I was getting ready to leave my house I was running late… I must have left my house and gone back in, no less than 4 times. First it was my umbrella, then a book, then I needed to change my shirt and I don’t remember what else specifically that delayed me 10 minutes. And then I finally left.
But as I stood at that corner staring at my intended destination and hearing the news of what had just transpired minutes before my arrival I had to ask, “What would have happened if I didn’t go back home? Would I still be writing this post?”
Today was a much needed reminder that I serve the Living God. And as imperfect as I am, JEHOVAH-JIREH has a plan for me. And days like yesterday, when I thought of myself as unworthy or not good enough, have become irrelevant. It is a reminder not to be discouraged, but instead to trust in the Lord.
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