bless all the dear children

On Friday morning, I was sitting in the car at the boys’ preschool waiting a few minutes before it was time to go in to get them.

I heard on the radio that there was a shooting in an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut. I found the story online and was absolutely horrified and so sad to hear the news.

It’s safe to assume that anyone who is a parent or anyone who has ever loved a child has been deeply saddened by this news. We’re all grieving over the loss of these precious, innocent lives, and mourning the loss of the teachers and adults who were there trying to protect the children.

We’re stunned at what has happened to this world, and wonder how something like this could possibly happen. How could someone do this?

I can’t imagine what these families are going through, but I can pray. I can’t have answers about why this happens, but I can pray.

On the way home from school that day, I turned off the radio because I didn’t want Hudson to hear anything. I wanted some quiet in the car with my boys. So we started singing Christmas carols.

Hudson sings and Hayes mostly listens. But he smiles and watches us. Hudson sang the first verse to Away in a Manger, and when he finished he asked me to sing the other verses that he doesn’t know.

So I did.

And then I got to this verse.

Be near me, Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay

Close by me forever and love me, I pray.

Bless all the dear children in Thy tender care,

And fit us for heaven to live with Thee there.

And in that moment, I was completely overwhelmed at the truth of those words. And I began to cry.

The promise that we have is written right there in that Christmas carol. Because of the incredible gift that we’ve been given because Jesus Christ came to this earth to live with us, walk with us, serve us, and then die for us so that we can spend our eternity with Him.

I am so sad that such innocent, hopeful, spirited lives were taken from this world so soon. These families, mothers, fathers, grandparents, friends, sisters, and brothers are in my constant prayers.

And I am praying that we use this time to love each other and serve each other. Reach out to each other and show kindness and love.

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Comments

  1. Shannon M says

    Thank you for your beautiful words and Heartfelt prayers. I have been reminded of this prayer by St. Francis throughout this weekend and it has brought comfort:

    “Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.
    Where there is hatred, let me sow love,
    Where there is injury, pardon;
    Where there is doubt, faith;
    Where there is despair, hope;
    Where there is darkness, light;
    And where there is sadness, joy.

    O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
    to be consoled as to console,
    to be understood as to understand,
    to be loved, as to love.

    For it is in giving that we receive,
    It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
    and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.”
    ― St. Francis of Assisi

    Continue to hold your sweet boys close. Merry Christmas!

  2. says

    I thought of that same song/verse on Friday and makes me ball. Such an unthinkable and completely devastating tragedy. In prayer with you and so many others.

  3. Julie says

    I came across your blog while pinning on pinterest. I am so glad I did! I have been reading past entries and I felt I had to comment on this one. I am from CT, about 15 minutes away from where this unthinkable tragedy occurred. I also lost a classmate in the shooting. Whenever I see the outpouring of kindness, prayers, and support that CT has received, and continue to receives, from all over the world, it brings me to tears. But it also brings me an incredible sense of peace. I think I speak for all of us in CT and all affected by this tragedy when I say THANKYOU!!!! Please continue praying for the families and community–it will be a long road to healing but as we all know, with prayer and God, all things are possible. <3

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