This passage has been used many times in the past few days on multiple websites I have read as I try to process the horrible, unspeakable things that occurred in Connecticut last Friday.
I wasn’t going to post anything.
I didn’t know what to say and I certainly couldn’t say it as lovely as Michelle or Lisa-Jo.
I haven’t watched too much television news about this, it is just too painful.
I haven’t watched the children interviewed.
I only saw one set of parents interviewed and their children were not physically hurt. But they are having nightmares. They can’t get what they saw out of their minds.
The dad said it is part of what makes them who they are and they will all have to learn to live with the experience.
Yesterday was the third Sunday of Advent. The Sunday we are supposed to celebrate JOY.
This is the responsorial refrain we used…
I pray that the people of Newtown, Connecticut feel the presence of the great and Holy One of Israel.
Things looked pretty bleak when Jesus was born so long ago in dark, stinky stable. But God was in charge then and he is still on his throne and in charge today. Even when things look bleak.
Lord, comfort the people of Newtown. Especially be with the one that will bury their loved ones today and in the coming days. Be with the children and families of those that survived the shootings. Comfort all of them. Please give them peace. Help them find rest in you.
Here is an article that I think is worth reading.
I can't put words onto this thing yet either. Just listening. So thanks for writing.
I wasn't going to post anything either. But, as always, words seem to help me work through life. The church service yesterday – from the Advent candles, to the hymns, and even the offering prayer – seemed to have special meaning. And most of those things were chosen before the tragedy. I join you in prayer for all those directly affected – and for us all.
praying with you for all those affected; it is so heartbreaking..I wasn't going to blog, but then I read Horatio Spafford's story this morning, prayed about what to write, and it came together…wishing you and yours a blessed Christmas early as I probably won't blog much next week.
I wasn't going to write about Newtown at all, but then was so moved during the Sunday service that I felt a story well up inside me. So I did. But it's so, so hard. I am still reeling from it all. And my oldest, Noah, woke up with a nightmare last night — he dreamed that a man with a gun was hiding under his desk. The pain and fear and grief are so close – I am clinging with all my might to that babe in the stable.
I'm heartbroken over all of this. I realized today I was carrying grief that really isn't mine to carry. I was absorbed by it, couldn't stop crying. This world is so in need of a Savior. I still don't really have the words to express how I feel.