Heavy Hearts

One of the greatest tragedies in American history occurred today.  A lone gunman entered an elementary school in Newtown, CT, opened fired, and killed 26 people.  20 of them were children.  Toddlers.  How can this possibly be?

The debates will rage on how there needs to be better gun control, guns should be outlawed, and guns should just disappear.  But how can this ever solve the problem?  Guns are not the only weapon.  Others are much more easily attained.  The majority of these heinous murders are commited by a gun, yes.  That doesn't make it the reason for the carnage.

The person holding the gun is.  We've all heard it before - Guns don't kill people.  And they don't.  The people with the guns kill people.  This argument will continue until the end of time but this statement remains true.  These tragedies would not ever occur if not for the sick people holding the gun.  And this brings the need for assistance of mental illness, not gun control.  Do we take away our rights as Americans because of a select few of ill individuals?  That is not what this country was built on.  We all have a right to bear arms.  The way we bear them and the way we use them is the issue.  I do not voice my political views publically often but this one today ignited me.

But today, the political debates should cease.  That is not what today should be about.

There are countless parents and families who are experiencing the worst kind of anguish that any human could ever feel.  Trying to put myself into their place is near impossible but I think of my son and what that would feel like.  I have to stop because the agony looming right there on the surface is too much.  The thought of bringing my son to school as I would any day and the idea that he might not come home is unimaginable.  But I do know, that our plans for our son to attend school will not change.  The acts of a few will not deter us from our son getting an education in a classroom. 

We cannot live in fear.  Our lives must continue.  We cannot live in a bubble and never have our children learn to live in a society that is full of wonderful opportunities and advantages.  Our children need guidance, they need socialization, and they need the freedom to experience the world.  Yes, there are dangers.  There are dangers everywhere.  We must continue to trust that God is there.  And that His hand is on our shoulders.

Please keep those families in your prayers tonight as we carry our heavy hearts.  If any comfort can be sought from this day, it is that those precious children are now forever in the loving arms of our Lord.  Hold your loved ones close tonight and tell them you love them.