February 14, 2018

I just keep thinking that it happened on Valentine's Day. That was always one of my favorite days of school. I loved filling out the cute little cards and choosing the perfect one for each classmate. I looked forward to our class party and opening all of my Valentine cards. The high school kids in Parkland, FL were probably past the days of cute little cards and classroom parties. But, when they headed out the door for school that day, it was supposed to be a day all about Love. They were all supposed to go home that day and eat pizza shaped like a heart, share gifts with family, go to church or to sports practice or a game. But, 17 of them (including 3 teachers/coaches) didn't make it back home. My heart has ached all day when I think about it. This morning it came up in the car with my own high school student. It literally broke my heart to have to ask certain questions and remind him what he should do if something like this were to happen at school. Tears have flowed and threatened to flow at every article, news report or picture. I've wondered why this time it seems to be hitting so deeply. But it should hit hard. It should not feel commonplace. I don't ever want to feel numb to senseless tragedies like this or to the loss of precious human life. If my heart hurts this much, how are the parents and loved ones of these victims still standing upright? I don't know. I can't even begin to fathom their pain and what must be an utter tidal wave of emotions. It hurts that our children are growing up in a world that has grown so cold. Evil seems to run rampant. Days like this, it feels like evil is winning. And so I will continue to remind myself - I DO believe that love is more powerful than hate. I KNOW that evil will not win in the end. I believe there is still so much good in the world. Good people - like the coach who stepped in the path of rapid fire to be a human shield for his students. Like the teacher who managed to hide all 19 of her students in a closet and keep them quiet and safe until a SWAT team came in to rescue them. Like the janitor who re-directed to safety more than 40 students who were unknowingly running toward the shooter instead of away. I don't believe that these horrible tragedies are the result of just one issue. There are so many factors. As Christians, as much as it hurts we know that we are living in perilous times. It's not a surprise that the world will grow more and more cold and even farther away from God as we approach the last days. So, how do we combat this darkness? With the only thing that can - Light. His light. His Spirit. His power. His love. His grace. His mercy. His Word. His people. And, as difficult as it can be..His forgiveness. It is for all. His promises. I'm holding onto them right now more than ever. The world needs hope, and we have it in Jesus Christ. We can make the choice to repay kindness for unkindness, love for hate, hope for hopelessness. Our prayers are with you Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School and Parkland, FL. We hurt with you. 💙