A Profound Tragedy!

I, along with the rest of the country, have been mourning the loss of 26 beautiful, innocent people that tragically died last week in the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School.  There is, in my opinion, absolutely nothing so evil and atrocious as the killing of an innocent child.  It makes my heart ache for the families that were left to deal with such tragedy.  It makes me physically ill to think about something so violent taking place in an elementary school of all places.  It simply boggles my mind to think that something so vile could take place in our country (or anywhere in the world for that matter).

Thankfully, there are good people that see a tragedy such as the Connecticut shooting and act.  We step up to comfort, help, support, pray for and love those left to pick up the pieces of a shattered life without a loved one.  We set up fundraising to help the affected families pay for unexpected funeral costs, counseling, scholarships, and other basic needs.  Together we come together to mourn with those that mourn and comfort those that stand in need of comfort.  And together we try to heal broken hearts and wipe each other’s tears.

I’ve watched additional tragedies take place in the last few months.  There have been natural disasters in our nation.  It’s amazing how quickly people rally together and make a huge difference.  We put on yellow vests and clean up debris.  We shovel mud out of people’s basements.  We send supplies to those that are left with nothing.  It’s beautiful to see such selfless acts of service, compassion and love.  It’s nothing less than awe-inspiring.

When a tragedy occurs, we are quick to step up to the plate and say, “How can I help?”  We are deeply affected and want to support and lift those that have been so senselessly affected.  We feel a desire and a need to do something, ANYTHING, to lighten someone’s load.  This is one of the characteristics that I love most about human beings.  They do, by nature, desire to bless and help those around them.  It’s absolutely beautiful.

Let me tell you of another tragedy:

Once upon a time, there was a young girl that was 7 years old.  One day she was innocently playing with some matches in her home.  Having no understanding of the danger she held in her hands, she accidentally set the curtains on fire and subsequently set the house on fire.  Fortunately she, along with her sister, brother and mother were able to escape unharmed.  However, this was the only blessing that took place, because they lost everything they owned.  They were left homeless and completely destitute.  The mother found herself completely without hope.  She had nowhere to turn and couldn’t imagine how she could take care of three children without anything left.  Seeing absolutely no other option, this mother took her 3 small children to the nearby orphanage and dropped them off.  Perhaps she intended to come back eventually, but she didn’t.  Instead, she disappeared and left three beautiful children at the orphanage without a mother.  She left these amazing children alone facing a difficult future.  She abandoned these three incredible children.

No one heard of this tragedy and jumped in and helped innocent children.   
No one rushed to the scene to help them rebuild their life.  
No one sent money, food or supplies.   
No one seemed to care that they faced their own tragedy.

After spending a few years in the orphanage, there was a miracle.  God sent people to help Albina, Alina and Maks.  God made people aware of the tragedy that had fallen on these beautiful and innocent children.  God asked some people if they would please rescue them from their personal tragedy… He knew they had suffered longer than any child should suffer.  They had suffered enough.  

However, the people He sent to help them weren’t in a position to help them entirely on their own.   

They wanted to save them.   
They wanted to rescue them.   
But they needed help.   

They needed others to recognize the tragedy and to step up and help save these children.  They were doing all they could on their own.  They begged and pleaded for help.  They worked hard, they sacrificed and they committed to doing WHATEVER IT TOOK to give these children a chance at a life with a family and a future of opportunity.

This tragedy is calling you too.  Will you step up to help?