Traumatic events.

I am sitting here, contemplating the ridiculous events at Bondi this weekend. It is so difficult to imagine that people can do this to each other. It’s horrid. 

I have some very dear Jewish friends in Melbourne who do not deserve to be treated in such ways as this. 

It is appalling.

It rushed a whole pile of mixed feelings and memories of an event some 30 years ago where I also was confronted with such tragedy as this.

So what do we do ? 

I am angry, as probably many of us are in Australia. This is not our country. 

Firstly, let us try to find ways to support one another.  If you are struggling, then reach out for support, a  counselor, a pastor, a friend. Call lifeline, or a helpline and talk it out, don’t stuff it in and think that it will just go away, we need each other in times like these.

One of the biggest helps I  have found over the years  especially around traumatic events, is to seek debriefing… to seek out that support.  I am here for you if you want to chat with me, (it doesn't need to be me though ) but if you do want to chat with me, just send me a note or a phone call and I would be happy to chat and listen to your heart as we try to find hope in hopelessness. To seek peace in the middle of conflict. If you cant find anyone else, please don't hesitate to make contact with me.

I heard some great advice for us all…. Whilst we must not forget or diminish the tragic events…. Try to look for the good. Look to those who jumped in to help others, the ones who opened up their homes to shelter others, those who were brave to tackle the evil, those who helped others…. Look for the true spirit of our nation. Those who stepped up  …. And we must never surrender to the evil that rises around us.

A lot of people criticize our emergency workers …we would be lost without them.  Thank them for their great sacrifice and work. When  I was the chaplain at Ambulance Victoria  there were often people criticizing the paramedics…..until they themselves needed a paramedic and an ambulance.  Why don't we seek to support instead of criticize ?  See a cop ? Thank them for the risk they take everyday.

The world would be a much better place if we encouraged more and criticized less.

And whilst I am not a trauma counselor, I have seen and experienced my fare share of trauma and I know that often a listening ear, an appropriate hug, crying with others, often helps ….just to sit in silence with another person, to be “present” and not “absent”…..is often a valuable help to those who are struggling.

Sometimes no words are necessary.

If you are struggling… as we all possibly are right now, don't try to do it alone. 

We could all do better if we stand together and remain true to our Australian values. And if you are a Christ Follower, to our Christian values.

And as we approach Christmas, a time of good will and peace on earth, my prayer is that we will find and share good will to one another, and share peace with each other.

In Hebrew, the word “Shalom” is translated as well being, to be well and in good health, wholeness, completeness, soundness, health, safety and prosperity. It has an ancient, powerful and complex sense of meaning, and if ever we needed shalom peace in our world, in our nation…it is right now.

I pray that whatever you are feeling today, that you might know the Shalom peace that God can give us each.