This week, a single gunman and a father of three kids, entered a one-room Amish schoolhouse and executed 5 girls before killing himself. As these childrens' families grieve and the Amish community mourns this tragedy, how must we respond?
IN Christian love, we mourn and weep with them. In Christian hope we commend these 5 children into the arm of thier loving Father in heaven. In Christian peace, we forgive the man---Charles Roberts---and release HIm into the hands of the forgiver.
How do we protect our kids? Perhaps if we teach tolerance and compassion for all people. Perhaps if we teach that violence is never a solution to a problem. Perhaps if we listen to the pain in the lives of adult neighbors and offer grace to them. This was not the work of one madman. This was the work of a broken community in need. And until we begin to reach one another with compassion and peace, there will be no safety.
Can it be done? The church asks that question and attempts to live an affirmative response. But it is not a perfect affirmation. Not all Christian people are good or safe or compassionate. But the Lord who teaches and demonstrate these things is. I can only be faithful to Jesus and be helpful to my neighbor. Beyond this, I have no control.
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