I woke up this morning and my Facebook feed was bombarded with news of a shooting at an elementary school in Connecticut. Statuses of prayers, thoughts, and love were being sent to that part of the country as the shock of what had happened began to set in. I was no different. My heart sank, I was burdened with deep sadness, and I was wishing that what we were all hearing, was wrong. But we weren't, and today many are grieving the loss of the ones they hold most dear.
As I was reading people's thoughts, the phrase that kept being said over and over was "I can't even wrap my head around this," or "I can't comprehend what just happened." I said that same thing. My mind simply can't fathom what just happened. Well, maybe we can't comprehend what happened because we aren't supposed to. Maybe this atrocious act of senseless violence isn't something that we were ever meant to endure and/or try to understand. Maybe such evil is not what we were created for, and we hurt because the brokenness of our humanity is obvious on days like these. And maybe, just maybe, we despair, grieve, and react because we know in every ounce of our being that this is not how things should be.
Everyone reacts and responds differently when something this horrible happens, so I wanted to share a few things that are important to me, in lieu of today's tragedy...
1) Let's not rush into talks about gun control, and tightening laws about weapons. There is a time and place for that, but today is a day we grieve. Today is a day we pause, and stand with those who are in their darkest hour. Today we put agendas and opinions aside, and say, "We are with you." No amount of gun control talks will change the fact the 27 families are in shock and are at the beginning of a very long journey of mourning. Let's not explain away the pain, let's hold it together. Let's talk about gun control tomorrow, and grieve today.
2) As a person of faith, I am struck, in moments like these, with the truth that Christ died for all and that means he died for the shooter as well as those he killed. There is no justification for what the shooter did, but we must recognize that if Christ died for all, then that man is included. It was a disgusting act of violence and evil, but even the most far gone, have a story to tell. Be angry, feel strongly, but don't rule him outside of God's love and grace. We must pray for him and his family, as well.
3) Squeeze your kids a little more tightly today. Let this be a reminder to slow down, and really see your kids. I am guilty of getting easily annoyed with my kids, and reacting instead of pausing, but today I've given them some extra kisses, let Layla do my make-up, and am trying to see each moment as a gift. I encourage you to do the same.
4) I am holding onto the hope that all will be restored one day, and we will no longer have to grieve. I think that's all I know to do when I hear the kind of news I heard today.
The bottom line is this is a sad day, and no one should have endure the kind of pain that so many are facing in this moment.
My thoughts and prayers are with all involved.
