It's been a couple days since I've posted, because, to be honest I just wasn't sure what to say after the horrific events that played out in Newtown, CT on Friday. I have struggled with with happened there, and can not even imagine what these families are going through. I look at my son and want to weep at the thought of his life being cut short. I can not even begin to imagine the unexplicable pain these families are facing, nor do I try to. I do not mean this as a cliche-I really am praying for these families that they will find peace that can only come from God.
With the internet and social media I have heard people approach this tragedy in several ways. I've heard it said that we need to better address mental illness so that these kinds of things don't happen. I've heard it said that we need to place stricter laws on gun control. I've heard it said that this happened because we took God out of school. And, I've heard it said that this is a good reason for Christians to home educate. To be honest, I don't agree with ANY of those statements.
The young man who murdered these innocent children and teachers was not sick, he was evil. It is as simple as that. Do I believe that some people do have mental illnesses? Of course. But when someone takes the life of another human being in cold blood, I do not think it is because they are "sick". I believe it is because they are evil.
A more restrictive gun control law would also not have stopped this man from acting out this crime. If a gun was not readily available to him I doubt he would have just given up on his plan. He would have either gotten access to a gun somehow, or he would have used some other means. On the contrary, I believe it is because of the strict gun laws that we are seeing this happen. If teachers had the right to a conceal carry in the classroom, and the right to protect themselves and their students, I believe this tragedy would have had a different ending.
Some Christians state that this happened because we have forced God out of our schools, and that if we want our children to grow up in the truth there is no way we could justify sending them to a public school. I disagree with that statement as well. Now, my husband and I prayed about it last year and agree that home schooling is what is best for our family but I do NOT think that it is the right move for every Christian family. Christians are called to be the "light of the world" and to be in the world, not of it. If every Christian walked out of the public school system (whether they be a teacher or student), then what hope would there be for those still there? Because God IS still in the public school system! The Bible says "where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am". God has not abandoned the public school system, and neither should we! Now, more than ever, I am thankful for the Christian men and women who work in our public schools offering the plan of hope and salvation to any student seeking for it.
I will admit that my first thought on Friday was "At least I never have to worry about something like that happening since I plan on home schooling!" But, evil is everywhere, and who's to say my child won't be a victim of a theater shooting like the one in Colorado? Or who's to say my family won't someday be harmed in our own home? It's easy to feel overwhelmed and terrified when I think of all the evil in this world. But, I have to remember that GOD is Bigger! GOD, who knows every one of us and loves us has a Plan for each of us! God was at Sandy Hook Elementary School on Friday, December 14th. He was there beside every student and teacher in that school. He was grieved by what happened, but it did not take Him by surprise. He has a plan in all of this. In our human state we are not able to see it right now, but we can find peace in the fact that He does have everything in control, and that He offers us peace and hope beyond understanding.
To the families affected by this horrific day: My prayers go out to you. I know I could never be able to fully understand what you're going through. I pray that as the months and years pass, you would feel God's peace in your hearts.
My husband said, "The shooter must have allowed demonic forces into his life". For me to begin to comprehend this evil, I must agree guns, mental illness, public school systems, etc. played a minimum role.
ReplyDeleteI hear people say, "Their lives ended too soon". However, God knows the very minute our time on Earth will be accomplished. He was not surprised and it was not too soon. In no way am I sugguesting the events are not horrific, but I am suggesting that God ultimately has a grand and uncompromising plan. He can take our worst moments and satisfy an eternal plan. We forget that our time here is just for a moment, like a vapor the Bible says. I pray the families find courage, peace, and forgiveness to live through this tradegy and accomplish all God has in store for them.