Where is God when we grieve?

I had planned to write a book review that I've been putting off for the blog today.   I also thought about writing more about my goals to link up as I did last week.

The school shooting in Connecticut has made everything else seem so small in comparison.

There are no words to explain the kind of senselessness that comes from living in a fallen world, but there is a Savior who is ever present.  Although some will blame God, there are those who will seek Him.  In many ways, my husband became a Christian because of the loss of our first two children to miscarriages.  In grief, people look for answers beyond themselves.  If they look, they will not be disappointed.  Those who seek will find, those who knock will have the door opened to them, those who ask for peace and comfort will receive it.  His love never fails.

Many will ask where God was when the shooting occurred, but they won't like the answer.  He was there.  He was grieved to see His children hurting.  Our human reaction is to hope that God is a magician waiting to do parlor tricks for us.  That would reduce faith to no more than a superstition, like throwing a penny in a fountain and making a wish.  God values free will and some choose to use that for evil.  Jesus warned us that we would have trouble in this world, but we can take heart because He has overcome this world.  He has overcome death.  He welcomed those kids into His eternal presence in a place more wonderful than we can even imagine.  If all you believe is what you see here in this world, then the bleakness must be overwhelming.  There is more, though, because the story does not end with death.  Jesus gives us hope, even in our grief.

My prayers go out to the families in Connecticut who lost their children.  I imagine that many are going home to the sight of Christmas gifts that their child will never open.  I cannot fathom the depth of that loss.  For those that lived through the ordeal, the horror of that day will live in their memories for the rest of their lives.  I pray they find the comfort that God offers through the fog of anger, sadness, and confusion that they must walk through now.  I pray they have the resources, support, and encouragement they will desperately need.

Since my primary goal is to live intentionally and be present in the moment with my girls while keeping Christ at the center of all I do, I'll take this opportunity to do just that.  I thank God I can hug them and keep them close.  My heart breaks for those who have been robbed of that by the darkness in this world.

There Will Be a Day by Jeremy Camp

I try to hold on to this world with everything I have
But I feel the weight of what it brings, and the hurt that tries to grab
The many trials that seem to never end, His word declares this truth
That we will enter in this rest with wonders anew

But I hold on to this hope and the promise that He brings
That there will be a place with no more suffering

There will be a day with no more tears
No more pain, and no more fears
There will be a day when the burdens of this place
Will be no more, we'll see Jesus face to face
But until that day, we'll hold on to you always