Aftermath Thoughts

Yesterday a man entered a school in Connecticut and killed 20 children and 6 adults before turning the gun on himself.


It is morning, but for some the nightmare that began yesterday continues into today, and for many days to come.

 There is so much anger and pain in the world.  It is not so much guns that need controlling as it is love that needs dispensing.  We constantly strive for more, more, more.  We work longer and longer hours to provide 'the good life" for our children and in the meantime our children are being raised by babysitters and nannies.

 "Hurry up!  You're going to be late for school!  Can't you ever be on time?"  And a rush out the door to drop off the children in our own quest for the almighty dollar.  We need to stop it.  Of course we need to work to provide for our families.  But our children need to come first.

Are the last words your child hears from you this morning going to be words of irritation or anger, or words of love?  Because those are the words your children will carry with them throughout the day.

Love them.  Love those precious children of yours.  You don't get a lot of chances, and you never know if today will be the last day you can tell them how much you love them.  Wrap your arms around them and bless them as they start their own day.  And pray.

There's not too much we can do after the fact but pray, but there's a lot we can before pain and anger becomes so strong it has nowhere to go except into violence.

Mental illness is isolating.  It is painful.  We need to learn to recognize the signs and symptoms and get that person help, whether they want it or not.  As much for the rest of us as for them.

Dear Lord, I lift up those who are hurting to you today.  Not just the parents of those precious little children who were killed, but that entire community, and indeed, the entire nation, the whole world who grieves with us.  Forgive us, Lord, for being so wrapped up in ourselves that we neglect to see our neighbors who may be struggling.  Give us peace as a nation, Lord, but also give us the strength to fight and the courage to stand up with the disenfranchised, and to love the unlovable.  Help me today, Lord, to reach out my hand to someone who is hurting today.  Show us, Lord, how to show Your love to the world.  Amen