Hearts are saddened this day...

as we awakened to the news of the massacre in Colorado.  How can this be?  For what reason was this done?  We have no answers.  We hear of 12 deaths and 38 injured.  And no explanations.  So how does one pray?  How does one deal with these things?

I don't know about others, but I turn to God's Word.   I hurt for the families involved.  I grieve with those who lost loved ones.  I read God's Word, and I pray.

Psalm 23 - "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.  He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul.  He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.  You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.  Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever."

As you process all that has transpired, I pray that you will realize how grieved our Heavenly Father is over this situation as well.  He doesn't want calamity and disaster to fall upon us.  He wants to bless us and bring us joy.  What are you going to take away from this tragedy? 

Horatio G. Spafford lost his four daughters at sea.  After receiving the telegram from his wife of their deaths, he took a trip back across the sea.  When he arrived at the place where the boat went down, he penned the words to this song.

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea-billows roll,
Whatever my lot, that has taught me to say,
It is well, It is well with my soul.

It is well (It is well) with my soul (with my soul),
It is well,
It is well with my soul.

My sin - of, the bliss of this glorious thought -
My sin - not in part, but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

It is well (It is well) with my soul (with my soul),
It is well,
It is well with my soul.

And, Lord, hasten the day when the faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll,
The trump shall re-sound and the Lord shall de-scend,
"Even so" - it is well with my soul.

It is well (It is well) with my soul (with my soul),
It is well,
It is well with my soul.

Can you say, even with this tragedy, even with perhaps a tragedy that you, yourself, are working through, that it is well with your soul?   Think on these things.

Blessings!