Saturday, December 15, 2012

A Dark Day

When something awful happens in our society, many of us -- of not all of us -- search for meaning. We ask why, pleading with the heavens in the hopes of finding an answer that makes sense. We fruitlessly search for meaning or an answer we can reconcile in our minds as to how this could happen. It's human nature to want to know... why. Why do people act psychotically? Why do suicidal people often want to "take others with them"? And, of course, how could anyone, no matter how evil, actually murder kindergarteners in cold blood?

And, of course, there is no good answer. There is no meaning. There is nothing anyone can tell you that will make you feel okay about this. It's natural to seek it -- and also part of the grief process -- but it will never make sense. It will never be okay. It will never be understood. Asking the questions of why and trying to get into the minds of evil/insane people is a lost cause. You'll drive yourself crazy trying to figure it out because you never will. You will never understand why someone could be so unhinged because, presumably, you're not so off-course yourself.

Some react with anger. Others react by turning to God. Many experience a combination. You need to do whatever works for you, in my opinion. If you're angry and that helps you through it, that's fine. But also be understanding of others and their process.

It's also natural for all of us to try to imagine the pain and anguish those parents/families are experiencing. And those who have children will often seem harder-hit, as they imagine their little ones meeting such a fate -- they are imagining the unimaginable and it's enough to bring the most dark-hearted of us to tears. And while we all try to say we think about what it would be like if it was our families, we really cannot know unless it has happened. What we're really all saying, I think, is that we wish we could share that anguish, if only to take even a little of it off the shoulders of those living it. If only we could take away some of the pain...share it so they don't have to absorb it all. If only we could lessen their suffering. Unfortunately, all we can do is be there for each other, express our love and hold them up in any way they need, be it emotionally or even physically.

In the coming days there will be arguments about what should be done, laws that we need or don't need, and sadly this, like so much else, will have its partisan nature. I wish it wasn't the case, but it's the nature of things. And perhaps that, too, is all part of the healing process.

As we are reminded every time lives are extinguished far too soon, nothing prepares you for the brutal finality of unexpected death. That it was 20 little children only further compounds the anguish and makes the unfairness of it all that much more magnified.  

Life is truly precious and every day is a gift. Live your days... and love each other. Peace be with you.

-BS

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4 comments:

James said...

Nice job, you hit the nail on the head. This article should be published on a wider basis.

Anonymous said...

"Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered, 'Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will likewise perish."

Those children are in the hands of God, who is the most merciful person in the universe. Please repent and trust Christ today; you may not have tomorrow.

boilerdowd said...

Amen, Boxer...
But I'm still extremely saddened for the Mothers, Fathers, Brothers, Sisters and kids left behind.

Anonymous said...

One of my favorites. I just pray he never grows me in that way. Selfish, but as honest as I can be.

Funny how our alma mater losing at a child's game just didn't hve the sting today. Priorities refocused