The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry. Psalm 34:15
 
Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Romans 12:12
 
This Sunday I read in the Star Tribune the story of Nina Jablonsky, a 90-year-old Ukrainian immigrant who survived Stalin and the Nazis. She still finds it impossible to understand that the three genocides that have shaped her life would even happen. Why would humans do such things to fellow humans?, she wonders. 
 
During the Holodomor, the Josef Stalin-induced famine killed millions of Ukrainians, Nina was born. Then, when Jablonsky was 8, Nazi invaders burned her village's buildings and houses, rounded up her family and took them to work camps in the Dachau concentration camp system, even though they were Christian, not Jewish.
 
After the WWII her family live at a refugee camp in Munich for five years before emigrating to the United States and, eventually, to Minnesota. Now, Jablonsky mourns Ukraine's latest devastation: Russia's invasion that some observers call genocide.
 
What carries survivors through such times to come out of them with the will to carry on and have hope? God can be the only answer. The will to survive and endure unimaginable suffering is and amazing aspect of the human spirit. The Lord hears even in the darkest of times. He also inspires even the smallest kindnesses from those living through such times. These kindnesses kindle hope where little exits. No matter what, humans cannot stop God. He is open to the cries of all of his children.
 
Dear Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,
Thank you for never abandoning any of your children. You pay attention to our sufferings and invite us to cry out to you in prayer. Help us to always focus on you and to listen for your promise. Give us the patience that we need. Amen.
 
Florence Smallfield 
Ministries
Teaching Mission Party