Recently, there was another school shooting. This devastating act of cruelty resulted in three young children and a teacher’s life being taken, as well as another young student and teacher seriously wounded. Though not all details are known or released as of yet, my heart aches for these families affected, their loved ones, and the community. More lives would have been affected had it not been for a bystander that stopped the shooter, in turn, saving many lives. When did we get to a place where we need to worry about safety in places that should be very safe? Our world is broken, filled with sin. I want to make known, however, that there are many good people in this world. Though there are also bad people too. It can be hard to remember all the good, when evil things such as this happen. We may ask ourselves why God allows for certain things to happen. Though I cannot offer an exact reason, I can say we are given free will and unfortunately some people use that free will to hurt others. God weeps too though with us for such things. He doesn’t enjoy seeing His children hurt. Why He allows for some things to happen and not others, are beyond reasons that we may ever fully understand. Sometimes we really have no clear explanation. But our not understanding, does not diminish His ultimate plan. A lot of hearts are grieving a senseless act of cruelty from this atrocity. I pray for all the grieving hearts to be comforted and that they cling to God now and always. Candlelight vigils were held recently with people coming together to offer comfort, songs, and prayers as loved ones and the community grieved together. Showing not all hearts are bad and when we go through things we need one another, though most of all, we need God. Friend, may we pray for comfort to all those affected in all the ways, those that are still wounded and that they have complete healing, and for our world that is in such a need of God.

Erin Fitts-Brower

Say a prayer

Psalm 34:18 NIV

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Matthew 5:4 NIV

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Psalm 23:4 NIV

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Isaiah 40:28 NIV

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.