Broken Hearts

My heart is broken over the killings in the Amish school house. I have loved that part of the country and those people since living in PA while Craig went to medical school. Part of me is so ashamed that I did not react with this much emotion on hearing of the other recent school violence, they too were innocent ones. But violence feels different when it touches someone, or some thing that matters to us. It’s personal, painful.

Many thoughts. How could a man with children of his own do this to little girls? And did you see the report that the Amish are following the ways of Jesus by offering forgiveness? Perhaps their example of how to respond to horrendous violence will show the way for others who are in the midst of confusion and grief over the murder of their loved ones. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if their love, which flows from the heart of God, could send out a healing river across our land. One of forgiveness?

“Lord God, I know that Your heart breaks over sin and what it does to people, and how it destroys and deceives and robs us of all that is good. Forgive us Oh God! Have mercy on us, weak and evil of heart. We need You. Show us how to respond to hate, to anger, to abuse. Show us how to offer comfort and truth and healing. We need You to pour out Your Spirit on us! Revive us. We are dying, we are killing each other, we are killing ourselves. But You—You came to give us life, to make all things new to heal our broken hearts. Turn our hearts to You and show us Your mercy. Amen.”