Praying

Friday, December 14th.  I just don't have words for that day.  My heart was breaking & I just felt sick, as news coverage unfolded the horrific events happening in Newtown, CT.   

I cannot understand the tragedy in Newtown, CT.  I can't understand a lot of struggles/hurt, especially ones involving innocent children.  Ultimately, I can only turn to God, consider what's true of His character, & pray for those whose lives suddenly turn upside down. 

In light of December 14th and of the Christmas season, a song came to mind:  Welcome to Our World, by Chris Rice.  God certainly created the world, so it seems odd to welcome Him to it.  I don't think that was the songwriter's intention.  Seems more like an opportunity to recognize Him as our much-needed Savior & an invitation for Him be a part of our lives, in a real way.  An invitation to help us & give us perspective, in joyful times & in times when tragedy intersects with our lives.  An interest in remembering He loves us unconditionally, but He will not force his love on us.  That wouldn't really be love, would it?

I came across this quote, while processing the tragedy: 

God created things which had free will. That means creatures which can go wrong or right. Some people think they can imagine a creature which was free but had no possibility of going wrong, but I can't. If a thing is free to be good it's also free to be bad. And free will is what has made evil possible. Why, then, did God give them free will? Because free will, though it makes evil possible, is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having. -C.S. Lewis

Praying for Newtown, CT.  I'm praying for restoration.  Let there be peace, love, hope, goodness & joy in their hearts that far outweighs the evil they experienced that day.  Emmanuel, God with us. 


Welcome To Our World (Chris Rice)  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g9zIxSZ4xiA

Tears are falling, hearts are breaking
How we need to hear from God
You've been promised, we've been waiting
Welcome Holy Child
Welcome Holy Child

Hope that you don't mind our manger
How I wish we would have known
But long-awaited Holy Stranger
Make Yourself at Home
Please make yourself at home

Bring your peace into our violence
Bid our hungry souls be filled
Word now breaking Heaven's silence
Welcome to our world
Welcome to our world

Fragile finger sent to heal us
Tender brow prepared for thorn
Tiny heart whose blood will save us
Unto us is born
Unto us is born

So wrap our injured flesh around You
Breathe our air and walk our sod
Rob our sin and make us holy
Perfect Son of God
Perfect Son of God
Welcome to our world