Another Senseless Loss

For those of you who are unaware of what happened in Georgia last week, there was another senseless loss of life due to a school shooting. This shooting occurred at a high school about one hour north of where we live. As a result of this, as is often the case, copycat threats emerged. On Friday morning, we received an email that my son’s school was on a list of schools in the area being threatened with violence. This was a deeply unsettling moment.

So, what do you do when faced with such immediate danger? My first instinct was to run to the school and take my son home. But then, I realized I wasn’t alone. I could feel the support and unity of our community. My second instinct was to gather a group of mamas and begin walking the school’s perimeter as we prayed. The scripture says, “No harm will overtake you. No disaster will come near your tent. For He will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.” (Psalm 91:10-11). “No weapon formed against you will prosper.” Isaiah 54:17. These are not just words, my friends. They are God’s promises to us and the weapon of our warfare which we must use during these times.

Friends, when I first heard about the shooting at Apalachee High School, I thought of all of us who have lost children, grandchildren, spouses, and siblings. I immediately felt the shared heaviness and weight of sorrow and loss each of the four families would be walking through. We don’t understand why these senseless and irritational acts occur, but my hope and trust remain with God.

Since we know all too well what the grief journey holds, will you join me in lifting up each of the families who have lost their loved ones? Will you also pray for the safety of our children, teachers, and faculty in the school systems across the country, especially those who are now on this list? There is power in prayer, and we do not want to hear of another senseless loss impacting another family.