Sunday, December 16, 2012

Sometimes There Are No Words

This week has no doubt been a very trying and heartbreaking period for America. As our country mourns the loss of 20 beautiful children and six inspirational teachers, it's hard to find the right words of comfort or of peace. When a loved one passes away, especially when it's in a brutal matter, it's hard not to think, Why them? Why did this happen to them? They didn't deserve this in any way, they had a long life ahead of them.

I don't think we will ever be able to comprehend why such awful things, like the Connecticut shooting, happen.

I want to let everyone reading this know that God has a greater plan, and a greater purpose for everything we see as "horrific" and "unimaginable". Sometimes in our grief we forget that God will take care of all our needs if we put our burdens on him. He sacrificed so that we don't have to suffer. Most importantly, he love us SO MUCH. And I know that he is taking care of those precious little angels now in heaven. My heart aches for the families who lost their children, but they should know that they will see them again. This life is not the end. With God there is no end.

I have two things I want to share about the shootings. One is from Morgan Freeman:

"You want to know why. This may sound cynical, but here's why.

It's because of the way the media reports it. Flip on the news and watch how we treat the Batman theater shooter and the Oregon mall shooter like celebrities. Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris are household names, but do you know the name of a single *victim* of Columbine? Disturbed
people who would otherwise just off themselves in their basements see the news and want to top it by doing something worse, and going out in a memorable way. Why a grade school? Why children? Because he'll be remembered as a horrible monster, instead of a sad nobody.

CNN's article says that if the body count "holds up", this will rank as the second deadliest shooting behind Virginia Tech, as if statistics somehow make one shooting worse than another. Then they post a video interview of third-graders for all the details of what they saw and heard while the shootings were happening. Fox News has plastered the killer's face on all their reports for hours. Any articles or news stories yet that focus on the victims and ignore the killer's identity? None that I've seen yet. Because they don't sell. So congratulations, sensationalist media, you've just lit the fire for someone to top this and knock off a day care center or a maternity ward next.

You can help by forgetting you ever read this man's name, and remembering the name of at least one victim. You can help by donating to mental health research instead of pointing to gun control as the problem. You can help by turning off the news."

He speaks the truth. How would you like the media swarming you after a tragedy like this?

Second is a poem written by Cameo Smith.
Twas' 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38
when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven's gate.
their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air.
they could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.
they were filled with such joy, they didn't know what to say.
they remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.
"where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.
"this is heaven." declared a small boy. "we're spending Christmas at God's house."
when what to their wondering eyes did appear,
but Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.
He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.
then He opened His arms and He called them by name.
and in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring
those children all flew into the arms of their King
and as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,
one small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.
and as if He could read all the questions she had
He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of mom and dad."
then He looked down on earth, the world far below
He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe
then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,
"Let My power and presence re-enter this land!"
"may this country be delivered from the hands of fools"
"I'm taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools!"
then He and the children stood up without a sound.
"come now my children, let me show you around."
excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.
all displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.
and i heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,
"in the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."

Jesus lives. He died and he lives for us. I know the kids and teachers who passed away this week went straight to God and now dwell with him. What a blessing to know that Christ lives, and that we will live again.

May God bless and protect the families of those taken away. 







No comments:

Post a Comment