From an article originally posted December 15, 2012…
Oh, my heart is so grieved by what happened in Connecticut. I cannot imagine the devastation of that small community. We lived in the town next to Littleton after the shooting at Columbine. It was horrific, devastating, but in the aftermath we saw a new conversation begin. It was not a call for gun control or mental health services. There was a call to examine one’s heart. To look into eternity and examine what happens after death. Cassie Bernall was killed for her faith in Jesus, and her faith caused many to examine their own lives.
I woke today grieving the babies and teachers killed. I grieve for the witnesses to the scene. I hurt for the officials that had to see the devastation. The coroners that had to perform their job. I hurt for the ones who have to deliver the news to the families. I hurt for the medical community that had to see such horror come through their hospital doors. I think of the officials who are hurting and having to discern which information to give the media. I hurt for parents that will someday, in the future, send their living children back to the school with so many vacancies. I grieve the, now adult victims, of Columbine that are reliving a past nightmare. For all the victims of such evil looking on with knowing pain and heartache. Communities now have to prepare for such horrors, but no amount of preparation can prepare a community for this level of devastation.
I don’t know what to tell my children. I emailed our pastor this morning asking what would be said in the service Sunday, as our kids attend with us. I simply do not know what to tell them. I want this reality to not exist in the lives of my children as it didn’t exist in my childhood.
My friend posted on Facebook: “Got to thinking in the wee hours of the morning where Herod was tricked by the wise men and then killed all the baby boys in Bethlehem.”
“Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah:
A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation,
Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted,
because they are no more.”
I don’t understand this tragedy. I cannot comprehend it. I don’t know what to tell my children, but I know the One that is acquainted with sorrow.
“Surely he has borne our griefs
and carried our sorrows;
yet we esteemed him stricken,
smitten by God, and afflicted.
But he was wounded for our transgressions;
he was crushed for our iniquities;
upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace,
and with his stripes we are healed.
All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned-every one-to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.”
Lord, help us all as we shepherd our young children. Help us know how to love their hearts well today. Help us know how to point them to You, the true comfort. We are all hurting because of this unthinkable act. Help us to know how You would have us live today. You are true peace. We need you today and every day. O come Emanuel! Come!
