Friday morning in our Pre-K 3 classroom, Heidi motioned for me to check out something on her computer. Her face showed deep concern so I moved quickly to see what was going on. I read the news headline about the shootings in an elementary school and immediately felt ...shock.
Who could ever hurt innocent children? What would cause a person to take out their anger on students and teachers like this?
Since that fateful day, my heart has been heavy. I listen to the interviews of experts in their fields. Why did this happen? How can something like this be prevented?
Is the answer:
- Improved healthcare for those suffering with mental health issues
- Better security at schools
- Banning violent video games
- Banning certain types of assault weapons
At church on Sunday, my pastor talked about evil. And then he brought up the topic of ...sin.
Sin is nothing new. Rebelling against God and His ways. Sin is a word people don't like to hear or mention. Rationalization for behavior is often cited. Sin is nothing new.
Matthew 2:16-18
New Living Translation (NLT)
16 Herod was furious when he realized that the wise men had outwitted him. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, based on the wise men’s report of the star’s first appearance. 17 Herod’s brutal action fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet Jeremiah:
18 “A cry was heard in Ramah—
weeping and great mourning.
Rachel weeps for her children,
refusing to be comforted,
for they are dead.”[a]
weeping and great mourning.
Rachel weeps for her children,
refusing to be comforted,
for they are dead.”[a]
During the time of Jesus' birth, there was evil and sin. Jesus came to give Life. But the enemy tries to steal it.
But we must go on ...
So how do we go about our normal activities during this Christmas season?
Stephanie Ackerman is an artist. She loves to doodle and is very good at it. She created this design to remember the names of those who lost their lives in Newtown last Friday morning. I noticed it on Facebook as she posted it as a tribute to the victims of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary.
Stephanie wrote the following words above her beautiful design:
"When you don't know what to do, do what you know how to do, and then pray."
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| Created by: Stephanie Ackerman |
Blessings and love,
photo credit: TschiAe via photopin cc
