Mourn, we should. Be thankful, we should.

Here I am on the National Mourning Day in Australia. It is a National Mourning Day for the bushfire victims.

I can boldly say that there has not been an event in my life that humbles me this much. There has also not been an event that allows me to emotionally experience the truth in those very basic Christian practices - be prayerful and be thankful at all times - as much as this event.

I am a fan of Christian writer Philip Yancey. Two of his books are my favourite - "Where is God when it hurts?" and "Prayer - Does it make any difference?".

The one key message from each of the books I gain is (not Philip's words but my personal gain from the books):

- "Where is God when it hurts?" - When we see all the tramatic events happening, perhaps the question to ask is "Where is the Church when it hurts?". As a Christian, I should reflect on what my own circumstances and be truly thankful. Whatever that is happening around me, eg job instability, pales into insignificance. I need to be thankful to God.

- "Prayer - Does it make any difference?" - The key to prayers, perhaps, is not whether it can change God's decision or not. Prayer is a key vehicle to make God visible to people. God loves the people around us. I, as a Christian, pray for people around us because of God's love, because I love them - even though I don't know them but their stories sound so close to me.

Both messages are about God's presence in this world. I am sure that a lot of people ask why God allows these things to happens. I ask the same question but I know that God will not answer my questions as He gave me answers through Philip's books long time ago.

I sincerely wish this National Mourning Day can have an effect on those affected people in such a way that the healing path can start for them. I mourn with them. I am thankful that I can mourn with them. My prayers, although cannot be heard through human ears, I am sure that God can hear and He will work through people's hearts.