Philippians 4:4-7

I remember doing code red drills when I was teaching a couple of years ago.  Even though we knew we would be having a drill, I would still jump when it came on the intercom and we all started scrambling to secure doors, windows, and huddle with our students.  We would wait silently and someone would walk around and jiggle door handles to make sure everything was secure.  I was pregnant with Aubrie and remembered thinking about my own child having to go to school as a Kindergartner and how would I explain to her the reason for having these drills.  Who she was hiding from.  Why it was important. 

And I want to say this.  Every teacher I have ever known, worked for, and worked with, love your children and would do anything to protect them.  Teachers are selfless in so many ways and as these individuals in Connecticut have shown, teachers are wonderful.  Absolutely wonderful.

Like everyone else, my heart is heavy and I've been crying and praying A LOT for these families and community in Connecticut.  It just hurts.

Today is the day we light the Joy candle for advent.  It is hard to find joy in a time of tragedy.

One thing I was reminded of today is that God knows what it is like to lose a child.  He sent his son to this Earth to walk amongst us, live with us, experience the same temptations and pain that we experience.  He was later brutally beaten and hung on a cross and died a slow, painful death.  God knows this pain that people are feeling from this tragedy. 

As we all take time to think and pray, let's remember Philippians 4:4-7

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say rejoice.  Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.  The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

We need to keep our eyes and hearts open to see this world through God's joyful eyes.  We need to be joyfully expectant of His coming into our lives and hearts.

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