About Friday

It's been one hell of a week.

Friday's tragic events in Connecticut were too unspeakable. I'm still processing them. Today I sat on my couch and just cried and cried. It hit close too home as a teacher, as a mother. I've run through the disaster scenarios in my head, trying to figure out where I would hide my kids if something like this ever happened at my school. I know the chances of it occurring are so small... and yet it happens.

I keep thinking about the Christmas presents those children will never open. What will happen to them, all wrapped up in their shiny bows, waiting for little hands that will never eager tear off the paper? Who will clean out their desks?

I know there are probably some people who look at the events in Newtown and think, there's no god. I think of Newtown and I'm grateful there is a God. One who is delighted to be giving His precious babies big hugs in Heaven right now, a God who is devastated to see the suffering of those who had to be left behind for now.

What happened on Friday doesn't make sense. It never will. This world is a brutal place. But my name is written on God's heart. I can look beyond what is happening on this earth with hope because I know my life is already safely hidden in Heaven, just waiting on me to get there. God is faithful. Come Lord Jesus. Good will triumph.

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong, a perfect plea:
A great High Priest, whose name is Love,
Who ever lives and pleads for me.

My name is graven on his hands,
My name is written on his heart;
I know that while in heaven he stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart
No tongue can bid me thence depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair,
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look, and see him there
Who made an end of all my sin.

Because a sinless Savior died,
My sinful soul is counted free;
For God, the Just, is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me
To look on Him and pardon me

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Praise the One,
Risen Son of God!

Behold him there, the risen Lamb
My perfect, spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I AM,
The King of glory and of grace!

One in himself, I cannot die
My soul is purchased by his blood
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ, my Savior and my God
With Christ, my Savior and my God