Shaken

I don't know what to write today.

Nothing blog related seems important.

I can not get past what happened at Sandy Hook Elementary school this past Friday.  I know there are SO MANY tragedies that happen on a daily basis throughout the United States and throughout this world, but this one....this one has shaken me to my CORE.

Perhaps it is because the victims were so young & so innocent.

Perhaps it is because my oldest is close in age to the victims & I CAN NOT fathom being in the shoes of the parents who's babies were taken from them.

I can not imagine having to take their Christmas presents back to the store.

I can not imagine waking up on Christmas morning & not having their excited spirits & smiling faces filling the room.

I CAN NOT imagine the pain that the parents are feeling because the pain that I feel, as a bystander is unbearable.

Yesterday, as we were getting ready to go to church we dealt with the same difficulties we deal with EVERY Sunday as we try to get out the door with our two children & make it to church on time.

The kids were being uncooperative, as usual....not wanting to get dressed.....not wanting to get their hair combed. It's so easy to get frustrated.

But yesterday.....

Yesterday, I was just thankful that I had two children to get ready for church.

I took time this weekend, I'm taking time today, and I may be taking more time over the next couple days to just take a break from the hustle & bustle of everyday life.....to spend time with my children & my family.

Life is precious and we never know when today will be our last day.

To the people of Newtown, Connecticut.....
Our thoughts & prayers are with you all. We share your pain. We are mourning with you.
We will remember the lives of the teachers & of your precious babies. And we will pray for strength, comfort, & healing.

I wanted to leave you with a beautiful poem that I read on Facebook over the weekend. It helped to give me peace & I think it will do the same for you.

Twas' 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38

when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven's gate.

their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air.

they could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.

they were filled with such joy, they didn't know what to say.

they remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.

"where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.

"this is heaven." declared a small boy. "we're spending Christmas at God's house."

when what to their wondering eyes did appear,

but Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.

He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.

then He opened His arms and He called them by name.

and in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring

those children all flew into the arms of their King

and as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,

one small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.

and as if He could read all the questions she had

He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of mom and dad."

then He looked down on earth, the world far below

He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe

then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,

"Let My power and presence re-enter this land!"

"may this country be delivered from the hands of fools"

"I'm taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools!"

then He and the children stood up without a sound.

"come now my children, let me show you around."

excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.

all displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.

and i heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,

"in the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."

Written by Cameo Smith, Mt. Wolf, PA

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” (2 Cor 1:3,4)

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)