After hearing the initial reports of the shooting (while my kindergartner was at school), I turned the news off feeling overwhelmed and devastated. I didn't want to hear people trying to make sense out of an act that was utterly senseless. I've largely kept the news off since then, but it's been on my mind. And every once in a while I come across a picture of a beautiful child - one that reminds me too much of mine - or a picture of young parents like Brad and me, and I cry for them and their grieving families. I feel like they deserve my tears and my prayers. Like maybe tears from a stranger help somehow.
I came across this quote in a blog the other day. It rings true with me: "(My son) is developing in warp speed these days. I am so aware of him. His little self fills a room. I owe him the world. I am responsible for giving it to him. This little sliver of his life, it is mine to improve. And it is awe inspiring and overwhelming and comforting even, in a strange way...We are responsible for each other and we do our best. Together we can make the world go away."
Tomorrow we begin our drive home to Rexburg for what will probably be our last Christmas home for the foreseeable future. We'll spend the week with the people we love most in the world. What a blessing.
So this year my Christmas wish is that I will spend my time improving the sweet lives around me. Maybe I can't protect them from the awful, tragic things in the world but I can love them and treasure them. I can make home a safe and separate place. I know my efforts are sometimes clumsy and distracted, but I'll try my best.
Hopefully we'll remember what an incredible opportunity we have at this time of year: to celebrate the life of the One who will heal all the hurts and pains we endure in this life. And maybe, with that knowledge and a lot of love, we can make the world go away for a while.
I hope you have a Merry Christmas!
2 comments:
What a great post and thoughts. I feel the same way and have had these thoughts and hopes in my mind too recently. I feel like you are making a silly wish though since you do such a great job improving life wherever you go and are. Merry Christmas and Happy New Years. We hope you enjoy your precious time with your amazing family! Sure will miss ya!
i love this! so beautiful and awesome. as for the pants to church.. ugh makes me so upset but also glad i am not on facebook enough that i was completely oblivious until Andy told me about it. it upsets me because i occasionally wear pants to church but now i can't ever again, or at least for a while, for fear of being clumped in with those people. you're not alone though - i can't stop thinking about moving and it's so far.. but we're kinda at that halfway point. and the whole shooting thing.. i just cried when i heard and i am not a crying person! i guess motherhood has made me soft, but more importantly - like you said, really think about those things as i'm with Jordan. Merry Christmas!!!
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