Yesterday, after attending a string of meetings and conference calls at work, I read a horrifying news about another shooting in the US. This time, the senseless shooting happened in an elementary school. Twenty children (mostly 6 and 7-year olds) and six adults (including the principal and resident psychologist) all died. The shooter was identified to be Ryan Lanza but as the investigation continued it turned out to be Adam Lanza who also killed his mother before he stormed to Sandy Hook Elementary School.
The news of a shooting that happened in Columbine 14 years ago is still fresh in my memory. The Virginia Tech shooting also sent shivers on my spine and the recent Colorado theater shooting as well. And now this. It is truly heart-wrenching for all the people directly affected by this circumstance especially that most of the victims are little kids who have so much ahead of their lives.
I choked while listening to US President Barack Obama deliver his initial speech a few hours after the horrific incident that happened in a scarcely populated southern New Englandtown of Newtown, Connecticut.
I pray for healing and for acceptance for all the families who lost their loved ones and who are in immense grief. My heart bleeds for everyone who is trying to come into terms with this trial in their lives. I also pray that the survivors will heal as their innocence have clearly been stripped away.
"Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered - how fleeting my life is. You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath...And Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you." (Psalm 39:4-5,7)
Here's a song performed by Tricia Amper-Jimenez and the Victory Fort Choir:
