Thursday morning we awoke to the tragedy. Another mass shooting. More lives senselessly taken for no apparent reason. We mourn. We pray. We debate political issues and then we go back to life as normal until the next time.

It’s almost as if they are occurring so often that we have become desensitized. Each time we mourn less, we talk about it less, it takes up less media time.

I have this image in my head of a distraught mother who lost a child Thursday night saying, “I don’t want your prayers…” She wanted a solution to this problem that is plaguing America. My heart broke for her for many reason.

Thursday morning, I encouraged my students to be nice to one another in response to this tragic. They quickly reminded me that more needed to be done. I agree. The problem is layered and will require a plethora of solutions. But today, all I can do is be kind to others, to love others, to be a neighbor, to be an encourager, to remind everyone I meet about the sanctity of all lives. Today, I can hug my family a little tighter. Today, I can pray for all the families that lost a loved one, yes even the woman who doesn’t  know she needs prayers. Today, I can remember those lives senselessly lost in a bar in California on November 7. Today, I can decide to be a part of the solution.

“Give us aid against the enemy, for human help is worthless. With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭60:11-12‬ ‭NIV‬‬