Chapter 9
It washed ashore like sea foam, an old anecdote, they say. But nothing is amusing about it. It is bitter because, at times, it feels uncomfortably close to the truth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A Ukrainian survives the war. He grows old, dies, and enters paradise. There he meets a friend. They remember the horrors they lived through, and at one point they laugh. God notices and asks, \u201cWhat are you two laughing about?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The man replies, \u201cAh\u2026 You wouldn\u2019t understand. You weren\u2019t there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
God, I want to stand up in Your defense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You know me. You were there, and You are here, in my pain, my injustice, my betrayal, and my loneliness. The cry, \u201cMy God, my God, why have You forsaken Me?\u201d was Yours before it was ever mine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And yet, how often I have accused You: \u201cYou weren\u2019t there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Forgive me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You were there when everything fell apart. You are here in my ruins, my grief, and my humiliation. Sometimes Your presence is almost tangible. And when I cannot feel You, let my faith hold on to the truth that You never left.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Inspired by Andriy M. Donetsk Christian University
Andriy currently continues to go to the frontline towns and villages, evacuating people and pets, delivering food and water, sometimes supported through the network \u201cPeople of the Bridge.\u201d Thank you for your prayers \ud83d\ude4f
Published by Taras M. Dyatlik
Philemon<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Chapter 9 It washed ashore like sea foam, an old anecdote, they say. But nothing is amusing about it. It is bitter because, at times, it feels uncomfortably close to the truth. A Ukrainian survives the war. He grows old, dies, and enters paradise. There he meets a friend. They remember the horrors they lived … <\/p>\n