He is the Light

As many of you around the world and especially in North America, I was saddened ... no, heartbroken, as I read and listened Friday to the recounts of the horrible events.  I cried most of the weekend as I imagined moms and dads, husbands, children, siblings, friends affected by this tragedy.  My mother-heart was so extremely hurt and I could hardly breathe for imagining their pain.  As i read both about Connecticut and China, I just could not believe all the evil in the world.  I cried as I held each one of my kids tighter and I sobbed as I held my husband that night, knowing that we were so very blessed and that there were others out there with aching empty arms.  
Yesterday afternoon, we took our 4 kids to their school and read out the names of the victims, released balloons on their behalf and then said a prayer and had a moment of silence.  It was bittersweet and so beautiful.  I knew it was small and that it wouldn't help anyone in the long run but the scripture kept running through my mind that said we must be willing to bear one another's burdens, that they may be light, and mourn with those that mourn and comfort those that stand in need of comfort.  This was a small way that we could mourn with them and show our compassion for what they have lost.  
I can across this poem and it really did make me feel better.  I know exactly where each one of those sweet spirits is, and I am so thankful for my knowledge of Jesus Christ, of heaven and of the nature of families, that they can be together forever.  I know that Jesus welcomed each one of them and called them by name and wrapped his arms around them.  That is the only thing that gets me through it all.

twas' 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38
when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven's gate.
their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air.
they could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.
they were filled with such joy, they didn't know what to say.
they remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.
"where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.
"this is heaven." declared a small boy. "we're spending Christmas at God's house."
when what to their wondering eyes did appear,
but Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.
He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.
then He opened His arms and He called them by name.
and in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring
those children all flew into the arms of their King
and as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,
one small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.
and as if He could read all the questions she had
He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of mom and dad."
then He looked down on earth, the world far below
He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe
then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,
"Let My power and presence re-enter this land!"
"may this country be delivered from the hands of fools"
"I'm taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools!"
then He and the children stood up without a sound.
"come now my children, let me show you around."
excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.
all displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.
and i heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,
"in the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT."

Written by Cameo Smith, Mt. Wolf, PA

Please take a moment today, even if you don't normally pray, to remember those sweet souls whose lives were taken too soon and for those that were left behind.  Each of them deserves to be remembered.