Tragedy

The events that took place in Connecticut today really make you stop and think. It makes us as the human race evaluate the state that we are in. This tragedy is not about a political or social reform, it's not about gun laws, I'd even go so far as to say that it is not about the religious climate of our country.  We have forgotten how to treat people in this world. There were 22 students who were attacked by a knife wielding man in China today as well. These survivors will forever be scarred by the events the witnessed today. Christian or not we have lost the love for each other that heals the deep emotional wounds that cause people to act out. We do not love our neighbor let alone a stranger. We get angry when they cut us off, curse them when they take our parking spot, and are willing to fight them in trivial confrontations. Not only can we not forgive our neighbors, but how many of us have the family member that has wronged us? The family member that we haven't talked to in five years because we can not get past the terrible thing they have done. You may have even said, "I will NEVER forgive them for what they did to me!" And I will admit, you may be justified in your anger! But at what cost? How have we come so far that we would rather hold on to bitterness and anger? 

Our focus has shifted from loving others, to focusing on ourselves. And even there we are failing!

We are told we are not strong enough, not beautiful enough, not fast enough, not smart enough. We push ourselves more and more to be like the photoshopped images we see in magazines. And we abhor ourselves when we don't measure up. We can never be good enough, or pretty enough, or rich enough. We dig ourselves into deeper despair over false images of success that we can not seem to attain. It's no wonder why we are in such disarray. We cannot love each other because we do not accept ourselves. And so we isolate ourselves and push each other apart. It is in that solitude that some are pushed to drastic measures to be heard. Whether taking their own life, or even worse, taking the lives of others. This may be a morbid way to live, but in highschool I used to treat every person as if they had a gun in their pocket. That every person was on the brink to take out their anger on the school. I made it a point to treat everyone in a way that want to spare my life when they snapped. Again, I'm not sure this is healthy thinking, but it sure made me rethink the way I treated some people. Making sure that the kid who always sits alone felt invited to come sit by me. Or the one who gets picked on, knows that someone is willing to stick up for him. I wonder what would happen if we all were willing to take the time to reach out to the outcast.

This season, especially in the light of today's events, I urge you to take a serious look at yourself. Put aside your pretence and your bias, and take account of what you are grateful for. Put aside your anger and your bitterness and reach out to the person you haven't talked to in too long. This world needs love! We need parents who are willing to teach their kids right and wrong. Family's who are willing to fight for each other, not against each other. Take the time to help your neighbor and reach a hand to those who are downtrodden. Before we change our gun laws, or discuss school policy, or casting blame on each other, let us love. This is a time to grieve and reflect. Hold your loved ones close and tell them how important they are to you. You never know when will be the last time they hear it!