This Tuesday, 02 December 2021, Oxford, Michigan suffered a horrible tragedy – a 15-year-old student opened fire in the high school, killing 4 students and seriously injuring 8 other persons. The shooter had been known to be suffering from mental illness and the attack was premeditated.
How does a community heal from such a thing? We send our children to school and into our communities expecting safety, and for them to return home to us whole and safe. We must turn to the promises Our Heavenly Father has given us in scripture:
Reading from the Book of Revelation
‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
We must have faith that there will be a time when such suffering will end. The lives of children especially are sacred and meant to be protected.
~Chapter21, Verse: 4
Gospel of Matthew
But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the Lord”
Solace in prayer and grief shared with one another is the way to heal and move forward, it is easy in times of such tragedy to blame or question him, but this suffering is at the hands of man for Jesus said:
~Chapter: 19, Verse: 14
Matthew
“So, it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.”
In shared pain know that God has not caused such a thing, but in his mercy has given us the tools to heal from such a horrible act. Come together in the name of those suffer and carry it with them that they may bear it, for as long as it takes in prayer. Parents, family teachers, emergency services workers, those responsible for justice, and the entire community must grieve and heal to prevent even more tragedy. God give all of us strength and wisdom to endure.
~Chapter: 18, Verses: 14
~Elisheva+
