Rebuilding

I went unto the place where I had been a safe child, and had grown to be a vulnerable child, and its walls were broken down. The offices of my fathers were changed, with new people at their desks and new books in their classes; the school suffered great trouble and shame. And I wept for the places that were vacant, for the people in exile, for those who survived; for my nourishing mother, for I love it. And I prayed to the God of heaven that He would rebuild the walls His people destroyed in their sin.

I do not know the rest of the story. But I pray that it will be one of His servants rising up to sort through the rubble and fill in the gaps in the wall, to rebuild while fending off the arrows of the Enemy and his servants. A story showing that the God of heaven is a God ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, who has not dealt with us as we deserve, but has dealt faithfully even when we acted wickedly. I pray that His Holy Spirit will work with His supernatural power in the hearts of men, that where there has been pain and anger and bitterness and injustice, there may be love. That the world may see us, and know there is a God by the way we love one another. That we may have the attitude in us which was also in Christ Jesus; that our love may abound more and more.

Have mercy upon us, Oh God, because of your unfailing love.