help us, our God

March 31, 2005. Today is one I pray will not be too quickly forgotten, but one that will remain in the hearts of the people who dwell in this nation. Terri Schiavo passed away this morning after a battle that literally has our country split down the middle. Fox News had a poll up today that showed 54% of the people supporting the removal of the feeding tube as an act of mercy on Terri's behalf. This situation leaves far too many open-ended questions for me to hope that the battle stops here now that she has passed away. There are pertinent issues leading up to her condition over the past fifteen years that remain a mystery, even when certain sources claim they know "what Terri would've wanted." There is speculation over the desired privacy coming from her husband that is a wonder, raising suspicion as to why he wouldn't want her own family in the hospice room while she was deteriorating and then, ultimately, at the time of her death. There are countless questions to be considered and that need answers in order for this case to come to rest. I pray that those seeking the truth will not stop fighting, but will continue demanding the truth in which only true freedom can be found...

I came across an interesting correllation today that seems worthy of mention in discussing the battle over Terri Schiavo: Pope John Paul II. As America has watched Terri die a slow and horrific death over the past 13 days due to have her feeding tube removed, the Pope has had his fair share of health problems with the final results still pending. While the courts have ordered Terri's feeding tube to be removed, and the families' pleas to have it reinserted have been turned down, Pope John Paul II has not only had a tracheaotomy in recent weeks, but he now has a nasal feeding tube in hopes of aiding in recovery. I am not bringing this up to state any type of speculations, but this is just an example of the Terri Schiavo case setting some sort of precedent for the field of medicine in the days and years to come.
"Dr. Barbara Paris, director of geriatrics at Maimonides Medical Center in New York, said the tube may be just a temporary measure to boost John Paul's nutrition while he continues his recovery. But she said it could also be the first step toward having a more permanent feeding tube inserted directly into his stomach.
That procedure, known as PEG — percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy — involves making an incision in the abdomen so a tube can be passed directly into the stomach." (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,151886,00.html)

As countless Americans can attest, I will never forget the events of September 11, 2001. I've heard those from my parents' generation and up say they will never forget exactly where they were at and the events of the day President Kennedy was assassinated. Similarly, many of us can remember 9/11 in such a way. Remembering where you were at when you heard the news, blurred feelings of confusion, helplessness, and the list continues. It was also the night of the week when Grace Bible Study was held, the college Bible study that has been held in Abilene since the 90s. Grace still took place, and I remember the atmosphere being...heavy. I bring this up because one of the songs we sang that night is one that has been resounding in my head throughout the course of the day. And at this point, it is the only prayer my heart and mouth can utter:
Help us, our God, help us, our Savior
For the glory of Your name, for the glory of Your kingdom
Deliver us, and atone for our sins
Deliver us, and forgive all our sins
Help us, our God, we come to You desperately needy
Help us, our God, may Your mercy come quickly to meet us
Help us, our God, help us, our God,
Help us, our God, for Your namesake
Help us, our God


Lord, come quickly, and Lord, forgive us all...