The events in Newtown, CT on Friday morning haven’t been far from my mind. Honestly, I’ve tried to encapsulate my thoughts into several different posts without success. I’ll leave it at this:
What do you say about such a horrific act? What can you say? Nothing will give back what was lost and words are ultimately futile. But I keep coming back to Romans 12 from the Bible. One of the verses in the chapter talks about rejoicing with those who rejoice and mourning with those who mourn. And that really does seem like the best course of action.
We are the ones who have lost. We’ve lost the joy that you brought each day, we’ve lost your sweet smile, we’ve lost the anticipation of watching you grow. But you? You’ve won out in this and for that we have to smile through our tears. Knowing that never again will you have pain, knowing that you are forever safe and loved, knowing that you adored and cherished – enmeshed in pure joy. To think of that Man who said to let the little children come to Him because He loved you all so desperately, and to know you’re wrapped in the arms of a wonderful Father now. Yes, you are in the best of places with the best of company. So what can we do but weep for missing you and smile to know you are so much happier than we can imagine. We can’t forget you and wouldn’t want to. So we smile through our tears and think of you.
Beautifully said.
Thank you.
Lovely. It puts me in mind of “To an Athlete Dying Young” by A.E. Houseman. Those who die young are forever remembered as being innocent, and never have to go through the pains of growing old, becoming cynical, or all the other ravages of time. In a way, we’re kind of selfish for mourning people, especially if there is in fact an afterlife. An end to pain, and they get to know the mystery of it all… Sad, but poignant!