In His Sight

I think we are all reeling from the unbelievably tragic shooting at the Sandy Hook school in Connecticut.  I have never been so saddened by something in my life, and I don't even know these poor people.  I have cried, and cried over this.  I can't even imagine what these families feel.  Losing their precious 6-and-7 year-olds.  Their lives haven't even started.  The unbelievable bravery that was shown by the teachers and staff at that school, those who sacrificed themselves to try and stop the shooter, and those teachers who successfully hid their students so the gunman could not access them.  I am in awe of these people.

I don't yet have children of my own, but I have numerous cousins, and I have friends who have little ones, mostly between the ages of 1 and 4.  They aren't mine, but I could never imagine losing one of them. Just thinking about it brings tears to my eyes.  But I especially can't imagine losing them in a tragedy like a school shooting.  It is such a senseless act.  These children were completely innocent.  They had done nothing wrong.  They probably didn't even understand what was going on when it happened.  That breaks my heart.

Today at church, we sat behind a couple, and their son, who I would guess is about 4 years old.  He was absolutely adorable.  His little book bag had his name on it, so I know his name is Aiden.  Aiden has big, blue eyes, and light brown hair that hangs in his eyes a little.  He is cute, as are all 4 year-old boys.  He was very well-behaved, and sat in church without a problem.  He did something today, though, that I think will stick with me for a long time.  The preacher had us all stand as he read from the Bible.  Aiden's mom and dad stood up, and his mom was holding the Bible open to the verses we were reading.  It took him a minute, but Aiden dug around in his book bag, and pulled out his children's Bible.  He stood up on the chair, and modeling his mom's behavior, he opened his Bible, and stared at the page.  Then, he glanced up, through the hair over his eyes, to make sure he was doing what his mom was doing.  He continued to look at the Bible, like he was reading it, until the preacher was finished.  I wish I could have taken a picture when he looked up at his mom.  He was so serious, and knew what he was doing was important.

I mention this small event for several reasons.  One, because it was heart-breakingly sweet.  Two, it models what is obviously good parenting, because it is normal for him to see his parents holding a Bible, and he copied accordingly.  But most importantly, he is innocent.  He is a little boy, who has no fear.  He is obviously happy, and loved, and cared for.  He doesn't know the horror that so many children in Connecticut now know.  And I pray to God that it stays that way for him.

Every child should have Aiden's innocence, and sense of security.  Every child should be able to go to church with his parents, and read from the Bible, and go to school, and be safe.  No child should be killed by someone who has a grudge for who knows what.  No child should ever be worried about their safety.

This shooting in Connecticut certainly has me on edge, as a teacher.  It worries me, because it seems like events like this are happening more and more.  I'm scared for my students.  I'm scared for this country.  We have to do something, to protect the Aidens of this world.  What is it that we can do?  I'm really not sure.  I don't think gun control is the answer.  But I don't know what the answer is.  Maybe compassion, empathy, friendliness?  So that people don't feel alone, so that they don't get so upset about something that they kill innocents.  But is that enough?  I'm not sure.  I will never understand what possessed this man to go into an elementary school and kill little children.  I don't see how that could ever be justified.  But changes must come, and they must come quickly, so that this will never happen again.

As I left church today, the song "Jesus Loves the Little Children" was in my head.

Jesus loves the little children.

All of the children of the word.

Red and yellow, black, and white

They are precious in His sight.

Jesus loves the little children of the world.

Those 20 babies that were killed on Friday are with their Heavenly Father now.  And I know, for those parents, that is a very small comfort.  But Jesus does love those children, and they are with Him now.  And it is because they are precious, that they are loved.

I don't think this country will ever forget what happened on Friday.  And we will never forget those 20 children.  I know that I won't.  God bless these families.