Is it me or has anyone else noticed?

I'm not one who normally believes in coincidence, so I'm not going with coincidence on this either. I find it highly ironic that just days after the political eruption in Egypt, there is one almost identical in Libya. One could argue that perhaps the Libyans were simply inspired by the actions of their neighbors. But how could so much death and catastrophe be inspiring? 

I suppose this is where I need to step out and take a different perspective. I would have to assume (always a dangerous position) that people would have to be at a breaking point, so desperate for change that the risk of the life of a loved one would be worth it if appropriate change were to be brought about. The lives of a few for the survival and well-being of many. But isn't that what war is all about?

As Americans, we have been blessed in that our land has not known war since the 1800's. After the Civil War, things began to settle down for the most part in that regard. I cannot imagine and don't want to find out what it would be like to have one of my sons disappear in a protest like those I've witnessed on the news lately. The agony of not knowing where he was or what was happening to him. The helplessness of it all would most likely break my mind in some way. Or to have one of them injured and to not be able to get adequate medical care for fear of being killed or abducted on the way. Still, to have to listen to my grandchildren cry for food or clean water and not to be able to provide for them because the social structure of my country has broken down and chaos now rules. 

As I read these disturbing headlines, I am compelled to fall onto my knees and to raise my face to God and shout praise to Him for blessing me and my family to have been born here. So many people berate our country. Yes, we have problems in our government. Yes, we need reform at every level. Yes, there are numerous issues that need to be resolved. But, today, most of us have safe homes, clean water, and food. As a nation, we have cracks. But if every person began doing whatever he or she could today to help heal those cracks, we can push our country another step away from becoming what we are reading in the headlines. If we work the system and vote in the leaders we believe will listen to us and do what we ask, that's another step in the right direction. There is much that each of us can do as individuals if only we would.