Joy in the midst of national sadness

There is a lot of pain around us this year... one week before Christmas. We all feel for the families in Connecticut. It would be heart-wrenching to lose a child or family member at any time of the year. But to lose them so close to Christmas and all the holidays that happen at this time of year... so incredibly sad! I couldn't even imagine it. I'm finding it hard enough to get in the spirit of the season as it is. And that's just from being exhausted from my crazy active child and working and shopping and church stuff and and and... I really have no excuse though because there is plenty to be thankful for. I am truely blessed! I really need to be acting like it.

This poem is going through emails and I wanted to share it. I also wanted to make sure I keep it somewhere where I can review it when I'm feeling down or when in the off-chance I have the news on and they are talking about the details surrounding the events at Newtown (or any past or future mass shooting).

Twas' 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38 

when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven's gate.

Their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air.

They could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.

They were filled with such joy; they didn't know what to say.

They remembered nothing of what had happened earlier that day.

“where are we?" asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.

“This is heaven" declared a small boy. "We’re spending Christmas at God's house”.

When what to their wondering eyes did appear,

but Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.

He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.

Then He opened His arms and He called them by name.

And in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring

those children all flew into the arms of their King

and as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,

one small girl turned and looked at Jesus' face.

And as if He could read all the questions she had

He gently whispered to her, "I'll take care of mom and dad.

“then He looked down on earth, the world far below

He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe,

then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,

“Let My power and presence re-enter this land!

“May this country be delivered from the hands of fools”

“I’m taking back my nation. I'm taking back my schools!

“Then He and the children stood up without a sound.

“Come now my children let me show you around.

“Excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.

All displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.

And I heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,

“in the midst of this darkness,” I AM STILL THE LIGHT."

 Author not known. 

Whomever wrote this is fabulous! I know that it's not so easy to feel or express joy in the midst of so much sadness. But it is an Amazing God we serve and He still reigns! Satan may have feel he has won a small tiny little battle. But we can all take comfort in the fact that our Heavenly Father WILL win the war!

20 little souls are now with Him. And I pray that the adults had a relationship with Him as well.

Hug your loved ones! And never let go. (Spoken figuratively of course) :)