VT Tragedy

As we watched the events of this week unfold, we're devastated and shocked. There are no light hearted words or quick prayers that can take the pain and agony away from the hearts of the family members of those individuals that were murdered. The loss of life is the most heart wrenching thing that can happen to anyone. Our human nature wants swift justice. We think that if we can pass the blame to someone, it will ease our pain. release our dam of agony and allow closure to come.

This situation is different, the gunman, after mercilessly murdering over 30 people turned the gun on himself. The guilty party, is no longer alive. So we hunt someone else to blame. Someone that we can bring the hammer down on to release our own hurt and pain. We have an innate desire to make things right.

The school and its security force not locking down the facility is obviously a dellima. We ask ourselves, 'how many lives might have been saved if the school had been in lock down.' We'll never know. We can't go back. As painful as it is, we can't turn back time, we can only alter the future, and impact the present. A witch hunt is not what our country truly needs at this point. Don't get me wrong, if things adminstrativly and logistically were done incorrectly or poorly, then yes, that needs to be corrected, and must be corrected to keep other students and people alive and safe. However, a witch hunt is never healthy.

A hunt for 'evil' parties only takes the focus off of the pain that is alive and breeding in our own hearts. Then, once the party is found and executed, it is over. The situation is over and has been dispelled. Our country safe once again. But that never truly heals the pain that still is eating away at hundreds of families. That doesn't explain the big questions like, "Why would God allow this?" or "Why did I allow my child to go to that school?" or "Why can't I stop crying?" The questions go on and on. The emptiness is a bottomless pit that seems to swallow ever since or hint of joy.

No, executing a guilty party doesn't really help. It's necessary many times, but it doesn't really help. God is our help and our rescue. he is the one that carries us and nurtures us. He is not the one that caused it to happen, but weeps with us for the tragedy that has been committed. He is not the one to cast stones at but the one to be embraced and held on to in times like these. He is the one that we truly draw our strength from to get up every morning and face the next day of life.

So what's the best thing we can do for the situation? Pray. Pray for the families. Pray for the community. Pray for the emotional healing of the other students that were not murdered but are scared and wounded. Pray that God brings justice where justice needs to be brought, and healing where healing is needed. Feel free to click the comment button and add your own prayer to mine, and let's pray for hurting people that we cannot touch with our hands, but we can hold in our prayers.

Heavenly Father we turn to you once again in our time of need. In our time of pain. Father we sense and feel the pain or our neighbors. Their loss in immeasurable, and their pain is deep. God we ask right now that you touch them in a deep way. Lord reach deep into their harts and lay your scared hands on their scarred hearts and bring healing. We know the memories of their children will always be a permanent fixture in their lives, but Lord we ask that the glorious memories surface and wash away the gory painful details of this week. Let redemption come to their lives. keep them in your hands and send peace to their homes. You told us that we could have peace that passes all understanding, so Lord we ask that you grant peace these precious families, and to this strong town as a whole. Bless them Lord and we lay our trust in you. Amen.