The world can be a beautiful place and sometimes, especially during this time of year, I can really be moved by the generosity and love of others. Then evil rears its ugly head and your perspective changes in an instant. Today, that instant came when I heard about the Connecticut school shooting. The grave looking anchor on my TV just reported that 18 elementary school children and 12 adults have been killed. In addition, countless numbers of children have been traumatized today, just days before they were to be celebrating an innocent and childish Christmas with their families.
I did not know a single person in Connecticut, yet I am writing this through tears. I want to scream and am so angry! What kind of man thinks that the answer to any of his problems is to kill a child? I am thankful that my children are safe at their schools today, but I cannot help going through the hypotheticals. Could this happen in my community? How do I know we are safe? What if, what it, what if? I think we all do that to some extent as it is human nature What is also human nature is trying to solve the problem. Why did this happen? How can we prevent this in the future? What is broken that can be fixed? In fact, the gun control discussions are already happening while this is still fresh and painful to so many. Is that appropriate? Maybe. I know that we all want this sort of violence to stop, but I wonder if we can stop it at all. Evil is not contained by laws. Evil people with evil plans do not mind breaking the law.
To me, the solution is a long term change of perspective. Maybe we need to stop teaching people they are the most important person in the world. I am amazed at how many kids and adults I know who think the world revolves around them. Just look at Facebook status updates. Me, me, me! How many people never give to others because they do not want to give up a luxury? How many people make decisions that affect others out of selfish motives? I think the self-esteem movement went a little too far. I teach my children to put others first, not themselves. It seems to me that so many of these violent cases are the result of someone feeling wronged. They were hurt so people must pay. What kind of thinking is that? Self-centered!
But let us not dwell on solutions today. Today, let us pray for the children and their families Let us pray for the teachers and first responders. Let us pray for our culture that believes violence is the answer to so many problems. Let us pray for each other as well. While you are praying, thank God for the teachers and first responders who worked to keep children safe and calm today.
Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. – Philippians 2:3-5
About Janice
This is a horrible act of you said it, EVIL my prayers to all the victims!
This has had me crying all day! My heart is broken for everyone involved! It’s nice to see that the staff did everything to protect the kids! Not only do we need to hug our kids but we also need to thank teachers for all they do!
This has been a sad day for America. God be with these families and these children that will be scared forever. I have cried and prayed all day. I just don’t know what is wrong with the world when someone can do something so bad to innocent children. It’s a pain like no other to have a child taken from you…especially in a violent way. My thoughts and prayers will be with this family and community for weeks and years to come! :'(
My heart breaks for the people in this town. The poor children who were taken too early, and the adults as well. I can’t imagine going through what some of those parents are going through right now. It’s a sick, disgusting world we live in. It makes me want to not even leave the house with my daughter.
What a horrible tragedy! Why Why?
I cried while reading and watching the news about this tragedy. I heard that the gunman was mentally unstable and it angers me that he has access to guns. His parents should have put the guns in a more secure hiding place. Pains me to think that this could have been avoided.
My thoughts a prayers go out to all the family’s of this horrible tragedy !!
I cannot believe this myself and it is so scary to think what if? It truly could have happened anywhere nonetheless no matter where it happened it saddens me & I do hug my girls a little bit tighter because we truly don’t know what tomorrow will bring.
The act and demeaning devastation of lives that done no one wrong,evil does lurk in the darkest minds out in this world.
This is such a horrific event and it saddens me beyond words. Unfortunately, changing gun laws will not stop evil people from killing. They will find a way to get a weapon if they so desire. I am praying for these innocent children and the many families that have been effected by this awful crime. It seems we continue to hear about these types of things happening in schools. Perhaps children should be taught at home or in a safer environment.
This was one of the best commentaries I’ve read about the tragedy. Kudos to you, Janice!
Such a horrible waste of life. I hope their families are able to find peace.
i cried for these children last night, so i can’t even imagine how it is for the parents who lost such young children! i would be broken and i think it will take a very long time for them to heal after this. i give all the best wishes…
This is indeed a horrible act. My hearty prayers for those lives lost.
10 days later and the stories and pictures of victims still bring me to tears….they were so young….