From Us to You

 

Day of Silence

Prayers

From the words of a children's book...What a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day.  The events that occurred today at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, CT is simply very tragic and unnerving.  I couldn't even bring myself to watch any TV, surf the web, or check updates on my phone until about 5 o'clock this evening because as an educator myself, I just can't imagine what school officials, students, parents, and members of this community have gone through today.  To be honest...it is a living nightmare and I just can't make sense of any of this.  As teachers, parents entrust us to care for their kids and today, there were 40 parents who once again sent their children to school thinking this would be another day of learning.  Tonight they will go to bed with any parent's worst nightmare sadly being a reality for them.  I know everyone has their opinion on how this could have been prevented, etc., but let us know forget that the lives a many were forever changed today by the acts on a single person.  I pray that these families and this community find peace and comfort from the Lord during this time of grief and that we as a nation, instead of pointing fingers or looking for answers, simply remember that tomorrow is not guaranteed and to rest in the everlasting promise of our Almighty King.  And don't forget to hug those you love a little tighter tonight.

Would I?

The holiday season completely brings on a new meaning once you have children.  This year is my 5th Christmas as a mother and boy are we having some fun.  Art, our elf from Santa, is definitely keeping us all on our toes and on our best behavior and we are having a great time making other Christmas memories as a family...making holiday decorations and treats, driving around to see the lights, watching holiday movies, and the list goes on. 

But amidst all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, I can't help but wonder what it was like to be Mary.  Throughout my life, I have often wondered this and have greatly respected her giving birth to the King.  Would have responded in the manner Mary did when she learned she would be the mother of the world's Savior?  I can confidently say no.  A co-worker of mine, who just became a mother herself,  has also had this on her heart and she shared about this this morning at our weekly FCA meeting.  It is crazy to think that Mary was only 13, the age of many of our students, at the time of Jesus' birth and I think this really hit home with many of our kids.  I know that I for sure definitely don't have the obedience of Mary at the age of 31, let alone the age of 13.  I can't imagine having the knowledge of knowing one of my children was going to die, but she did, and lived a full life of glorifying God and being unselfish all the while--something I definitely struggle with. But I am so thankful she did.  I pray that we all remember the sacrifice not only Jesus made for all of us, but also the sacrifice of this earthly mother and the heartache she ultimately endured for us.