The reason for Christmas

So I have decided that while it is a huge blessing for me to be able to write funny, cute, or silly things about my sweet children so I can tell them about it later and I can remember it later, I also want this blog to be a reflection of myself for my kids. Long after I am gone, I want my kids and grandkids to be able to look back and get a feel of who I am. Which leads me to writing this post.

On December 14th, 2012, a man that must have been hurting so badly inside, went into a school and fatally shot 20 children and 6 adults. Shortly after these events countless stories of heroes emerged. Stories of how a teacher lunged at the gunman to try to stop him, another teacher lying to the gunman and hiding her children to keep them safe, and neighbors who took in kids that managed to escape. The nation fell to their knees to pray to God. Football teams, TV shows, churches, and families nation-wide took time to stop, reflect, and pray about the loss of each of those innocent victims.

So then came the question, "where was God?" Some people even went so far as to say that God wasn't in that school because "we as a nation" removed him from the school. But let me tell you what I know.

I know that God was there in that school with those children and teachers. I know that God did not "allow" this to happen nor did he "need" 26 more angels with him. I also know that NO man-made law, written on a piece of paper can keep God out of a school, or out of anywhere for that matter. The sad truth is that we live in a broken world, the same broken world that murdered God's son Jesus. You want to know where God was? God was holding each of those children, both those that made it safely and those that didn't. God gave those teacher's the courage to do miraculous acts and give their lives to help save those children. God was with the first responders who rushed in and stopped the shooting from being worse. God was with all the emergency teams that were stationed there. God was with the parents who wept. And God is grieving with us. Who could possibly understand the pain that comes with losing a child more than God? There are no words that can help comfort or console the families that lost loved ones. I cry often when seeing the news coverage because I cannot imagine loosing my babies! But I pray that those families find some tiny sliver of hope knowing that God sent us the Christ-child on Christmas day so that those who believe could have a Savior and live eternally with Him. I pray those families can feel God's presence and our prayers during the tragedy.

Hunter & Lauran -

Remember how we talked about that sometimes bad things happen to good people? Well this was one of those instances. No matter what bad happens in life, know that is a result of people making bad decisions or accidents happening -- it is not done by God's will. Also, don't let anyone, any paper, or any rule tell you where God is and isn't allowed. Carry Him in your thoughts, carry Him in your heart, carry Him in your actions, and carry Him in your words -- then God is everywhere you are!

And always remember the REAL meaning of Christmas. God loves us SO much that He sent us His only son so that we may have a Savior. "Glory be to God on high, and peace on earth."

Hold your loved ones even tighter. Merry Christmas!