Newtown

What happened on Friday, December 14, 2012 was a horrific tragedy. The only thing that I could think about when I learned about what had happened (as I was sitting at my desk with my class full of students) is what I would do if it happened here. I looked around at all of my kids and I thought, "What if?" Would I be willing to risk my life for their safety? Boldly, I told myself that I would do the same thing that so many other teachers did for their students that day. However, we can all talk a big game, but staring at an armed man looking to take innocent lives and giving him your own instead...that's a bigger deal.

God did that. The devil looked straight at us with his weapon and wanted to slaughter us all. God sent His son to stand in front of the bullet--to intercede for our eternity. The Bible doesn't just talk a big game, but rather shows us how we should live daily. We should be exhibiting the same fruit in our lives.

I am not saying that we need to be jumping in front of actual bullets in order to show our love for each other like Christ showed love for us, but we do need to be more cognizant of our daily actions to show that we die to ourselves daily and live a Christ-like life. He does this for us every day.

I was recently incredibly convicted about the way that I live my life and harbor blessings from others. I was at a popular local restaurant with a friend and God put it on my heart to pay for a couple's meal that was sitting near us. I immediately began the battle in my head: "I can't afford it." "Is that really you, God?" "This will be awkward." (Isn't it funny how we talk ourselves out of obedience?) I ended up doing it and wrote a note of encouragement for them--it was something that God put on my heart to tell them. As soon as I gave the waiter the receipt with the message on it and asked him to deliver it to them, instead of the check, I got up from the table to leave. I went into the bathroom on my way out and was worrying about where I could rearrange my budget to make the $43 that I had just spent fit. God clearly spoke to me that "Is fourty-three dollars not worth someone's possible eternity to you, Cynthia?" Let's just say that He got me. His correction hurts sometimes, but it's a good hurt. So, let's be real--if I had to think twice about being a blessing in a small way, what's not to say that if God called me to submit my life for another that I wouldn't have to think about it? Again, I can say right now that I would give my life over for one of my students, but we need to be doers, not just hearers.

What is God asking you to do, in order to be a better servant of Him, that you're not doing? For six teachers in Newtown, it was jumping in front of a bullet to show how much they love their students. I am not saying that God wanted them to die. However, it takes a lot of character (and witness) to give your life for another.

My prayers are with the friends and family of everyone in Newtown, even the family (that is left) of Adam Lanza. My hurt hurts for the victims, which include his family. I cannot even imagine the pain that any of them are feeling. I know that I have shed numerous tears over the situation and I was not connected to anyone in any way. I just sat at my desk and thought, "What if?"

Today, we are all green and white. Love you with my whole heart.