For His Glory: Framing Tragedy

I'm sure, as with most of you, waking up to horrific news remains devastating. As a friend said, "I know this stuff happens, but it is awful every.single.time." As it indeed should be, and I pray our hearts never get callous to the shock and dismay. When you have children, I think these situations add another dimension. How, when and what do you tell your children in these situations?

The media has the information along every front and it is hard to avoid it. Personally, our family has decided that it is best for our children to hear it from us, first. So this morning I said to my kids, "I'm sorry that I have to tell you this. I'm sorry that you live in a world where these things are becoming commonplace." I then proceeded to tell them the events with tears.

I also told them about my walk this morning. I try to go for a walk every morning and while I go I listen to Pray As You Go app. It opened with a song that was derived from Psalm 91:

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.[a]

2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,

my God, in whom I trust.”

3 Surely he will save you

from the fowler’s snare

and from the deadly pestilence.

4 He will cover you with his feathers,

and under his wings you will find refuge;

his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

5 You will not fear the terror of night,

nor the arrow that flies by day,

6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,

nor the plague that destroys at midday.

I ended up sharing the words from today. While these words aren't meant to be an "escape" from the reality of the tragedy, it does show that the story does not end in the midst of terror.

My heart has remained very heavy throughout today and I know that I am far removed from the events that took place. I appreciated being led in a prayer for this situation by the presiding Bishop Michael Curry: