Rhemalogy

At work today I took a phone call from a lady who mentioned the Nashville Covenant School shootings. The first thing she mentioned was the school wasn’t that far from her house and secondly, the shooter lived right around the corner from her. She told me that she and her husband were in total disbelief at what happened and why can’t the government get involved with this issue instead of arguing about who was in charge and keeping so many special interest groups in their pockets. She went on to say “everyone will be up in arms about this for a couple of weeks and then it will all be forgotten.” That’s when I exclaimed, “It should never be forgotten!” Children are our future and they need to be secure in the fact that they will have a future. They should not be made afraid of going to school which is becoming a more and more dangerous proposition.

She said, “they have more protection at these corporate offices than they do at our children’s schools.” I told her I still had Columbine, Sandy Hook, and that school in Uvalde on my mind. We were discoursing how glad we are that our children are grown and we would opt for homeschooling under the circumstances if our children were small today. “Can you imagine how hard it is for parents today when they have to send their children off to school?” I told her that when I pray for our schools I pray for schools all around the world not just here at home.

According to CNN, this Nashville Covenant School shooting is the deadliest US school shooting in nearly a year and the 19th shooting at a school or university so far in 2023. Another American community is in shock after a shooter killed three 9-year-old students: Evelyn Dieckhaus, William Kinney, and Hallie Scruggs, the daughter of lead church pastor Chad Scruggs. Also killed were Cynthia Peak, 61, believed to be a substitute teacher; Katherine Koonce, the 60-year-old head of the school; and Mike Hill, a 61-year-old custodian.

At the end of our conversation, the lady told me “we will continue praying for our schools, thank you”, and hung up the phone. Our heartfelt condolences go out to those families who lost their loved ones and our prayers are truly with them. And those of you who are reading this post please keep these families also in your prayers and schools all over the world.

Lord, we know that You are the God who comforts us. I pray that You provide a time of comfort and rest for those whose hearts are hurting right now. Hold them in Your embrace, Father. Wrap them in Your love and remind them that though they may have lost someone dear, they are not alone, for You are with them. Bring to them the hope of Your unfailing love and turn their sadness into gladness. Soothe their heartache as they lean on You for comfort and guidance. I pray that their grief heals smoothly, for You will be with them every step of the way. May they hold on to You for strength, hope, and sustenance. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Deuteronomy 33:27 The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.

Prayer from Christiannet.