Erin Akin Carroll

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.