In the aftermath of the tragedy at Sandy Hook, I have paid close attention to the news. There is so much talk about gun control and mental health and the horrible events that lead to 27 deaths in Newtown. While there are many opinions in the news and on the internet surrounding these events, there is one constant: it is a tragedy of unfathomable proportions. I'm sure that parents all over hugged their kids tight on Friday night and appreciated their blessings a little more. After all, that's what we do as people when bad things happen-- our hearts ache for others, and we gain a little perspective, however brief, on the good things that we have to hold on to.
I think there is another thing that we do as people when bad things happen. We rise to the occasion. We put aside any difference that we may have, and we rise to the occasion. We help. We grieve. We bake casseroles. We stand vigil. We remember. And we have hope for those who have lost their hope in the darkness of loss. We recognize the humanity in each other and we reach out. This is the most beautiful thing about being human. Even in a world troubled by politics and saturated in the war to be right, we recognize each other in grief and our sole desire is to help and to comfort. There is no "I told you so" in tragedies, there is only "I am sorry, how can I help?" And you know, from where I sit, we could use a little bit more of that in the world. Certainly, not tragedy or indescribable grief, but we need a little more humanity. We need to extend a little more compassion.
So whatever your outlook is on the aftermath of the shootings at Sandy Hook- whether it be a national crack down on gun control or whether it be a serious conversation about mental illness- I hope that the national take away of this event is a a little recognition that when we have no hope, others are willing to lend what they have. There is a lot of simple beauty in that, I think. That even where terrible sadness and fear have shaken the core of so many, we have not yet lost our ability to willingly give what we can. It may not be much- a few Christmas trees, some coffee, some toys, some thoughtfully chosen words. But it is what we have and what we have is given freely without the expectation of ever being returned. And when nothing we can offer can ever be enough- it is enough.
In the face of tragedy, I am thankful that I been given some brief perspective and a little hope. The Lord really has given us to each other to lean on. And I am grateful that, though often divided, we remember to lean and let lean when there is need. My prayers extend to those who have been touched by tragedy and my deepest hope is that in the trial they will remember to hold onto the heart God, the ultimate comforter and healer.
