a lost son

Oh, my God! Great sorrow and shock has yet again struck this nation.

Such a young man, possessed by failure, tormented, and overcome with evil principalities at the hand of satan.  There was not just one day when he snapped, but a day when a seed was planted.  A seed of rejection, and of being unloved and unwanted, as he soon was cast out into the world of darkness.  His life and family struggles almost asked for it. There was turmoil, and contemplation upon what was good and evil, as he was granted power to decide.  Every man desires power, but for what he does with this power is in his own hands.  The power to shake a nation came easily for him with a gun among the innocent.  He had his power, now God has rendered him powerless, and that he will remain.

How delicate life truly is!  It is here then gone too quickly.  How precious this baby boy was when he was born and took his first steps.  You were there Lord, and how the Lord wanted him to know the love of the Father.  He was a just a tool.  Just an instrument in the hands of satan to kill, steal, and destroy that which God has given.  Oh how the world threw hate and became his worst enemy, and now even more so.  But oh how the Father longed to have his lost son home, the reward for his suffering in His arms, just maybe even once.

Lives are shattered and destroyed, and to most, this will soon just become a distant memory.  But for a family who suffered loss, it will affect them for a lifetime.  Fear has come and there is no where safe to go, they now believe.  Decades have passed and the sounds of the gun shots are still heard in her little elementary school ears ears as her grandchildren sit upon her lap to read a book. How innocent they are she thinks, and how she wishes they would never have to go through such a tragic event and the years of heart ache and wrestling that would follow.  She has crossed many fences in her wilderness of healing. And for the teacher who gave her life as a martyr for the job she loved, to protect her children.  This was not in the contract, but it was unknowingly written in the Constitution of her heart.

The children's stockings are hung by the fireplace, yet they will remain untouched this year, but will always make their appearance every Christmas. The "why's" fill their hearts this season, and the house is quiet.  The traditions aren't the same anymore because there is a precious piece missing.  But there will be strength, strength to go on, one day at a time, and sometimes just one moment at a time.

There is Hope that where great sin abounds, so does His great grace.  There is great morning from the Father, as the plans He had for these children, the teachers, and yes, Adam and his mother, will not see their days fulfilled.  But our Lord promises great rest and peace in times of tragedy. To that promise, may many cling onto and receive their strength to go on.