This week I really didn’t take many pictures at all. I had a bout with a stomach bug as did James. However, that pales by comparison when I think of the Newtown, CT children and adults who were killed Friday.
As a former public school teacher and a mother of three children who attend public school, this tragedy has been especially difficult for me to watch and read about.
My Facebook feed has been filled with people’s opinions about the shooting. Pro-gun vs. anti-gun, homeschooling vs. public schooling, and republican vs. democrat are all being discussed.
Yet, I don’t think those issues are as important as the fact that those little children will never get to grow up due to the horrific acts of one person. Their deaths have left their families, their community, and an entire nation wondering “Why?”.
I want to share part of a post I wrote a few years ago and I would encourage you to read the whole post as well.
When things like this occur people naturally ask “Why?”. Some will go so far as to ask, “God, why would You allow something like this to happen?” I would imagine that if everyone is honest with themselves at some point or another in their life they have asked this question.
Should we ask questions such as these? I know that our human nature is to ask questions. Those of you who have children know what I mean. You probably hear “Why?” multiple times in a day.
However, there is nothing to be gained by asking God why tragedies occur. The question we should all ask is, “God, what would you have me do?”
I assume that since you are reading a blog called “Blessings Overflowing” that you believe in God. I want to challenge each of you to not only pray for the families who have lost loved ones in the Sandy Hook Elementary tragedy, but to ask God what He would have you do to help show His love to others.
Now, I feel kind of strange showing you pictures of my week after all of that, but I want to keep trying to think positive thoughts.
These pictures were all taken today at church. We had a black light puppet skit in which James was a puppet, Joshua played a “keyboard”, and Julia held up signs. The skit was to a song called “Gloria” and it was really cute.
We also had a play and Julia was a narrator, James was the innkeeper, and Joshua was a shepherd. The kids all did a great job.
Joseph sat this year out, but I did snap a picture of him on the slide in the nursery.
I also got a picture of Janna and I in the matching outfits my mom made 12 years ago when Julia was one. My how those years have flown.
I do hope that you had a great week and that this coming week is a great one for you as well.
