how to help in times like these: school shooting.

I don’t talk much during times like this. Because there is so much talking. People trying to figure things out … out-loud. And while I understand the desire to figure things out, we should remember we won’t figure this out. Because we can’t. This will not be understood. Any time. Ever.

I know. Because I witnessed a murder in my school. My neighbor shot my teacher in our classroom. Over thirty years later, it still doesn’t make sense.

But I’ll tell you what does make sense.

Love makes sense. Care makes sense. And faith, yes, faith makes sense. Because love, care and faith are helpful. But they are quiet right now. They are not loud. Love, care and faith are calming frightened mothers, whispering desperate prayers, and holding shaky hands.

Fear, on the other hand, is LOUD. ANGRY. BLAMING. DISSECTING. SERMONIZING.

Fear is not helpful. 

To the children. Or the families. Or to you and me.

I am not asking you not to feel afraid. I feel afraid. I don’t think it’s human not to feel afraid. Feel afraid but love. Feel afraid but care. Feel afraid but have faith.

That is helpful.

I like what Mr. Roger’s said.

When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me: “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” To this day especially in times of disaster, I remember my mother’s words, and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world.

I want to be a helper. Just like the police who stormed the building. And the paramedics who cared for the wounded. For the friends who embraced the mother who no longer has her 5 year old son.

Helpers.

So I will shut the TV off, turn my hands over to God and I will pray.

Pray. And hold hope for those whose hearts are too heavy to hold anything else.

As the names of the victims surface in the news, instead of getting loud and fearful, will you pray? Instead of blaming, dissecting and staring at the screen, feeling all the energy drain from your body ~ will you pray for the families of Sandy Hook Elementary?

Be one of the helpers.

My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Far from my deliverance are the words of my groaning.
O my God, I cry by day, but You do not answer; And by night, but I have no rest.
Yet You are holy …

Psalm 22:1-3

Watch my pastor/husband’s impromptu FOX interview on the Connecticut tragedy …