Beyond Lemonade

^” You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Genesis 50:20

This quote is from the Bible story about Joseph, the son of Jacob meeting his brothers for the first time after they’d (tried to) ruin his life. In spite of the fact that his brothers sold him into slavery, lied to their father that he’d died, etc. God used this tragedy for good.

I have long stopped believing that God’s finger is on every trigger and every steering wheel. People hurt people because we make choices (except in those situations when mental illness takes those choices from us.)

It’s yet to be seen whether or not Craig Hicks was officially insane when he executed Deah Barakat, Yusor Mohammad Abu-Salha, and Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha in their own home. But what has happened in the aftermath can only be described as holy:

• While UNC School of Dentistry student Deah Barakat’s goal was to raise $20,000 for a mission trip to Turkey this summer to offer free dental care to Syrian refugee children, over $400,000 has been raised at this writing. You can make your donation here.
• A school clinic for refugee kids has opened in Reyhanli, Turkey named for Deah Barakat – less than three days after his death.
• Another clinic will be opening in Jordan in his memory.
• And another clinic will offer dental care to the homeless in Raleigh, NC bearing the names of all three victims.

This is not much of a Mardi Gras-ish post today, is it? But – on the cusp of Lent – we are reminded that our God brings life even out of death.

Image of Syrian refugee children in Reyhanly, Turkey at the opening of their new dental clinic.