Her Tale of Two Cities

She meandered through the street.  She was happy to see a new sight.  The old homes were just spectacular.  Rod iron fences stood before stately and yet quaint homes that had been standing for what seemed like forever.  The food was tasty and the college friendships a joy.  She couldn't believe that she was here, in New Orleans!  The French Quarter was simply breathtaking.

And then she meandered onto Bourbon Street.  Dusk turned to dark while hidden sin turned blatant.  Curvy women danced their unclothed silhouettes in front of sheets, beckoning men to come in and lose their wallets along with their souls.

The sin disgusted her.  And so her prayer became one of destruction, because she simply didn't think that God could deal with it in any other way.

She later graduated and married and had a few children.  She sought to know God and His heart.  And then Katrina hit.  She at once was reminded of her prayer for destruction.  And she was ashamed. 

Was there no mercy or unconditional love in her heart?

She later meandered through a new street.  She was happy to see a new sight.  The old homes were just spectacular.  Rod iron fences stood before stately and yet quaint homes that had been standing for what seemed like forever.  The food was tasty and the friendship a joy.  She couldn't believe that she was here, in Key West!  The southermost point of the US was simply breathtaking.

And then she meandered onto Duval Street.  Dusk turned to dark while hidden sin turned blatant.  Bars beckoned people to come in only after all of their clothes had been thrown in a heap.

The sin tore her heart in two.  She wondered what had happened to people's hearts to drive them to such flagrant offenses agaisnt the Holy One.  She had experienced grief and pain.  She wondered what these people's stories were as well.

She knew destruction wasn't the answer because there is no hope in destruction.  And so she prayed for light.  And mercy.  And for the healing of hearts and redemption of stories.

Perhaps her prayer over her own life was slowly coming true...Lord, make me like Christ.

"O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those sent to her!

  How often I wanted to gather your children together,

 just as a hen gathers her brood under her wings,

 and you would not have it!"

  {Christ's own words in Luke 13:34}