I did not hear about the tragedy in Newtown until the end of the day after our students were gone for the Christmas break. I sat at my computer and wept as I read the details of the killing of innocent children. Donna and I pick up our grandsons after school each day and take them to Kim when she gets off work. I held them both a little closer and a little tighter that evening as I imagined the grief of the parents in Connecticut.
The teachers in our charter elementary school were stunned to say the least. Each of them put themselves in the place of the teachers in Newtown. The husband of our administrator sat in his daughters kindergarten class for the rest of the day, imagining the pain of losing his little girl.
Where was God in all of this? Standing next to each child as they were gunned down, encouraging the hearts of the teachers as they gave their lives trying to protect the children in their classes, and running with the principal as she tried to stop the gunman. He was with the other children and faculty as they hid from the gunshots. God is with the families now as they grieve over the loss of so many taken far too early. I’d like to think He is doing what so many of us did that evening with our own children and grandchildren - holding them close.
God gives humanity the ability to make choices. Somewhere along the way, the young man who committed this evil crime chose to go the wrong way. It is not the fault of society, his parents, the school system, or God. He made a decision that cost 26 people their lives.The unfortunate thing about all of this – the people who were directly impacted by his actions must live with the consequences. History is full of such criminal acts and consequences for the innocent.
God is good, He is good all the time… That sounds fine on a Sunday morning unless you live in Newtown. I think Christians have become too trite and insensitive. The reality is that there is evil in the world and Christians are not immune to its effect. We are called to be salt and light. We are also called to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
May the world see God in us by OUR actions… I’m not sure they are listening to our words.
The teachers in our charter elementary school were stunned to say the least. Each of them put themselves in the place of the teachers in Newtown. The husband of our administrator sat in his daughters kindergarten class for the rest of the day, imagining the pain of losing his little girl.
Where was God in all of this? Standing next to each child as they were gunned down, encouraging the hearts of the teachers as they gave their lives trying to protect the children in their classes, and running with the principal as she tried to stop the gunman. He was with the other children and faculty as they hid from the gunshots. God is with the families now as they grieve over the loss of so many taken far too early. I’d like to think He is doing what so many of us did that evening with our own children and grandchildren - holding them close.
God gives humanity the ability to make choices. Somewhere along the way, the young man who committed this evil crime chose to go the wrong way. It is not the fault of society, his parents, the school system, or God. He made a decision that cost 26 people their lives.The unfortunate thing about all of this – the people who were directly impacted by his actions must live with the consequences. History is full of such criminal acts and consequences for the innocent.
God is good, He is good all the time… That sounds fine on a Sunday morning unless you live in Newtown. I think Christians have become too trite and insensitive. The reality is that there is evil in the world and Christians are not immune to its effect. We are called to be salt and light. We are also called to be the hands and feet of Jesus.
May the world see God in us by OUR actions… I’m not sure they are listening to our words.
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