I have thought a lot of the children who died at the school last week ... I believe they were on a different journey than the one I believed they were on at the beginning ... I have questioned in my mind 'why' ... but as I have learned in the program of AA, I do not 'understand' ... there is a 'higher order' to life than I can possibly imagine and it is not for me to 'question nor control' the way things are, but to learn to live doing my best to see that God's will be done in my life is the best I can offer to others ... someday, we'll come to know the 'why' ...
Here's a little poem I received this a.m. ... hope it gives you some perspective and peace ... ... ... God Bless!
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.
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
Thank you pappy:) what a touching poem that offers a glimpse of some comfort. I, too, have been thinking a lot of those kids and their families... And thinking " dear God in heaven..." with nothing more, because there's nothing more I can think to say. What a beautiful perspective this poem offers.
Pap...I've seen that poem on the net several times and it's a nerve pusher. A couple of the guys and I at work were discussing the event this afternoon and I listened and shared and part of what I shared from my experience is about the "programs" people are on. We talked about similarities twix this story and our own stories. One of the other guys, an elder like my self have histories with drinking and guns and doing our own thing and some of the completely insane things we did without knowing how we got into it and why and what the consequences were for ourselves and others. I do believe it is about programs. That young soul with the gun had a program and program behavior which had such severe negative consequences for himself and others. He had justifications different than ours, motive, intent, spirit...sooo much different that the program which we have used to keep us out of reach of insanity and comfortably tucked into the embrace of a Power Greater than Ourselves. The loss is indelible and unacceptable. I for one am staying within the changes I have found and learned in our program of recovery. But for the unbrideable love and power of my Creator Father go I. I can afford to pray overtime and say the prayer I said over and over and over which helped me across the bridge from that life to this one "help me." "help me." "help me."
It has been said that guns cause 'injury and death' is just like saying that pens or pencils cause 'misspelled words' ... it's not the instrument that is to blame, it's the person holding the instrument ... The young man that did this was definitely 'spiritually' sick ... and despite all senses telling me to be angry with this guy, I have learned in this program, that's the time I need to forgive ... and I pray for the strength of mind and character to be able to do that ... what he did was unfathomable ...
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
I've removed my previous posts as they had shagg all to do with recovery and everything to do with ego. I'm sorry if I couased any offence to anyone who stumbled across them.
-- Edited by bikerbill on Tuesday 25th of December 2012 08:13:00 AM
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It's not having what you want, it's wanting what you got. BB
My thoughts and prayers are with these children and their families today. I cannot begin to fathom what those people must be going through today. Certainly gives me perspective today.
You're right Col, ... sometimes we pity ourselves for what we are going through and fail to realize that many others have it much, much worse than we do ... AA has taught me to learn gratitude for what I do have ... and sobriety is at the top of that list ...
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
