Loud and Deep
December 18, 2012 | My Jottings
Like most everyone, our family has sat in front of the television these past few days, tears welling, hearts aching for the people in Newtown, CT.
I wish I knew what to say, not that my words matter at a time like this. I wish I knew how to pray. What I have been praying is, “Jesus, you know what to do. Will you please go to them?”
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem, set to music and a much-loved Christmas carol, says it better than I can:
I heard the bells on Christmas day
Their old familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
And in despair I bowed my head;
“There is no peace on earth,” I said,
“For hate is strong, and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men.”
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men.”
Till ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime,
Of peace on earth, good will to men.
* * * * * * *
What hurts so terribly if I stop & think about it is how quickly people move on ~ except for the families concerned! Already today’s headlines are different. Newton is in the past. Life toddles on no differently for most but for that towship everything has changed forever! How awful to have lost something so precious as your child & be forgotton so quickly! 🙁
I agree with you, Ganeida. I felt perhaps like posting anything at all on something as inconsequential as a blog might be wrong. I think want to be more kind and sensitive than they seem, generally. Life will never be the same for these families. 🙁
No, & some very stupid, thoughtless & insensitive things are floating round on the web. I was in 2 minds but in the end decided that to ignore it was completely heartless when really there are no words for this anguish.
Yes, Ganeida. Thank you… 🙁 xxoo
The words of that song are so stabalizing Julie! Because I was a school counselor I took this incident especially hard &
cannot stop praying for what will need to take place in the aftermath to help move this community forward. Am asking God to bring supernatural calm into the hearts & minds of those who witnessed this unspeakable act of horror…that God reveals Himself in a special way to each loved one who is affected & remains to carry this sorrow throughout their lives. And….that he makes me more alert to the needs of others daily …for our earth is filled with people who carry great sorrows in their hearts daily . Oh Jesus make me kinder, more loving!…..as none of us ever know that day we’ll be called us home as well.
Dearest Linda,
The words of your prayer here are beautiful and full of truth. I join you in each and everything you are asking for. And you’re so right – if we realized the sorrows each person carries, and how soon our lives will be done, we might really, truly, finally live today a little differently. Help us all, Lord.
God bless you Linda! xxoo