I was watching the Today Show this morning (yes, I watch some of "Today" on most mornings in front of my children. The truth comes out.) and was really struck by one segment. It was about a story you may have heard before; about two girls who were in a bad accident.... one died, and one was severely injured and in the ICU for weeks. Basically, the girls were mixed up and only after 5 weeks did their families learn the true fate of their respective daughters.
The story in itself is powerful. It is hard to even imagine myself in their shoes... experiencing such a roller-coaster of emotion, joy, and loss. What is remarkable, though, is that these two families have exhibited such true grace and mercy with each other, and an authentic, living-it-out kind of faith.
What I found most touching, though, is the way that Matt Lauer had been affected by these people. This morning's segment was called, "Today Looks Back", in which Matt picked the story that had touched him the most in recent years.
If you know the story, you can skip through the first 6 minutes to the interview. The powerful part, in my opinion, starts at about the 8th minute. Matt Lauer asks a question of the deceased girl's mother and can't help but tell her what an impact she has had on him. His voice breaks as he explains how her story broke his heart. Later he recalls how, in their first interview, he had noted her strength and she had responded by saying, "I am not strong, I am weak. God is strong."
Throughout this interview, it is clear that Matt saw something vividly different about these people and the way that they walked through this tragedy. He has told many people's stories and has seen countless lives affected by deep loss. But these families changed him. In a variety of ways, he asks why and how these people were able to find joy and peace. Their answer? God. It is one of the few stories on national news that I think reflects the true heart of Jesus...
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor
and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of gladness
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair. (Isaiah 61:1-3)
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