Whether is is the tragedy at Parkland school or the more recent one at a football win celebration, our hearts are tarnished, if not broken, by senseless killing and unrest. The human tragedy is that man is a sinful creature; therefore we live in a fallen world. Yet, those of us who are believers in Jesus know that this world is temporal, therefore temporary, and that while disappointments, whether personal or national, can teach us to number our days and use them for the betterment of others. Without a doubt, we know tragedy from our beginning days, albeit they can be as insignificant as not getting our way and throwing a temper tantrum, to the tragedy of spending our last day in loneliness and depression.
Language cannot erase tragedy. Millions of authors have tried. However, there are words of sympathy, understanding, caring, and prayer which can soothe the rough edges, quell the anger, and make some sense out of tragedy. I always think of Fred Rogers’ advice, to look at the helpers in times of tragedy. In this last incident at the football celebration when a couple risked everything to stop a killer. I look at the firemen who rush into danger to save a child. We all think of the stupidity and cowardice of the police sho who stood by and allowed students and teachers to die. We are better than that.
In our nation right now we look at tragedy on a large scale as we somehow deal with corruption in high places and the immense surge of illegal aliens who live among us. How do we assimilate them and turn them into contributing members of our society? How do we impress our leaders to serve the people rather than their wealth and pleasure? It all comes down to man’s search for power in this life rather than the contentment that comes from serving others and unselfish acts of kindness and compassion.
My Psalm 301
MY PSALM 301 TRAGEDY
Note: The tragic Parkland, FL school shooting, claiming seventeen lives, occurred the first day of Lent, 2018.
Heavenly Father, Creator of all things,
Abba, Father,
Praised be Your Name in the heavens and on earth,
For You have heard my cry; I can feel Your Presence
Because Jesus brings me to Your loving arms
When I cry out to You for strength this hour.
My heart is heavy with grief
Because Your children have strayed so far
From Eden’s perfection.
Senseless killing of students in a school
Brings me to tears. Do You weep too?
Mothers and fathers, sisters, brothers, spouses
Mourn for their beloved dear ones
Ripped so quickly from their arms
Without words of goodbye.
Lost potential, all with dreams for tomorrow
Now like withered grass blowing in the wind.
And for those parents, show Your mercy
For You indeed know what it is to see Your Son
Face the cruelty of violence and suffer death
To pay sin’s penalty, Your grace to share.
Give them strength, share Your Sovereign power
To face what comes next:
The empty chair, the silent laugh, the fading memories,
The denial, the tears, the anger,
And agonizing grief.
Bring them before You,
To feel Your compassionate Presence,
Until they can forgive and heal soul-depth wounds.
May their strong testimony promote change.
May we see some good come from this tragedy.
Abba, Father, hold us all in Your arms
That we can find comfort
In knowing that before even our first breaths,
You know the hour of our returning to You,[1]
And that Your children, those who knew You in this life
Are safely with You this day in paradise.
For all of us who mourn, bring us peace
That peace that passes all mortal understanding
To fulfill our purpose, to love You well
Until, when our tasks are done
You call us Home for eternity with You and them. Amen.
[1]Psalm 139: 16
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