good vs evil

I remember the tragic day of April 20, 1999, like it was yesterday. I was in my junior year of high school . It just hit too close to home. I read the biography of Cassie Bernall as soon as it was published. Soon after, I purchased the book about Rachel Scott. I was never able to get through it. I had an emotional breakdown with each page. Too much for me to bear at such a young age.

Thirteen years later, we are faced with another senseless tragedy. My stomach turns. My heart breaks. The moment they released the names, it all became too real. They weren't just numbers anymore. They were real people with names, with families, with futures.

I can't help but think about Christmas around the corner. Last week, the media was covering debates over "holiday" trees and banned nativity scenes. This week, most of our media will seek the advice or comfort of a church or a religious group. Most of our country will attend a church service. Last week, we wanted nothing to do with God. This week, we wonder where He was during this tragedy.

The father of Rachel Scott was asked to speak in a congressional hearing after his daughter's death. This is some of what he said:

"Since the dawn of creation, there has been both good and evil in the hearts of men and women, and we all contain those seeds: We contain the seeds of kindness and we contain the seeds of violence. And the death of my wonderful daughter, Rachel Joy Scott, and the deaths of that heroic teacher, and the other 11 children who died must not be in vain. Their blood cries out for answers...

"I wrote a poem just four nights ago that expressed my feelings best, and it was written before I knew that I would be speaking here today, and I'd like to read that:

Your law's ignored our deepest needs

Your words are empty air

You've stripped away our heritage

You've outlawed simple prayer

Now gunshots fill our classrooms

And precious children die

You seek for answers everywhere

And ask the question "why?"

You regulate restrictive laws

Through legislative creed

And yet you fail to understand

That God is what we need

"Men and women are three part being: we have a body, and we have a soul, and we have a spirit...And I believe we fail to recognize that third element, that really does need to be recognized by the legislative bodies of this country, that's been ignored for so long...

"We don't need more religion, we don't need more gaudy television evangelists spewing out verbal religious garbage, we do not need more million dollar church buildings built while people's basic needs are being ignored. We do need a change of heart and a humble acknowledgment that this nation was founded on the principle of simple trust in God."

"Seek good, not evil  that you may live. Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you, just as you say He is" (Amos 5:14 NIV).

This week, remember the true meaning of Christmas. Remember that Christ came to save, to redeem, to conquer evil. Burn this in your mind. Teach it to your children. Choose good. Choose God. And share with others. 

(You can find the full transcript of this speech here.)

blue-eyed Bing and Christmas things

It's that time of year...(I sang that by the way. Add the music in your own head as you read it. Or don't. It's up to you.) My favorite time of year. I love to decorate the tree. It's a tradition my mom and I share. The last few years it hasn't been the same, but we do what we can. In years past, I would put on some Bing Crosby, make some hot chocolate, and get to work making a tree Martha Stewart would envy. This year it was more of a "just get it done" thing.

I also love to shop. Yes, I am aware my shopping is a problem, but this is the one time of year I have a license to shop. This year we drew names. We can't afford to get everyone something, so one person buys for one person. I hate that. I want to give to everyone.

This year, for the first time we won't all be together. So if you are following along, no Bing Crosby, limited shopping, and no complete family. To add to this my birthday is this week. Used to be exciting. Now...not so much.

If I'm not careful, Christmas will lose its magic for me. I'll start focusing on all the things that are missing and thinking about all the things I wish I could do (like snow angels). Oh and let's not get started on those eHarmony commercials that just love to point out the fact that you're still single. Blast you online dating sites and your cheerful love-dovey commercials!

I have to remind myself that although Bing and hot chocolate are wonderful, they are not what Christmas is about. I get so caught up in myself that I forget about other people.

This is the time of year that people who are hurting hurt more. People who are lonely are lonelier than ever. They feel their loss more. Let us not get so caught up in our Christmas lists and strategic elf placements that we forget to tell our loved ones just how important they are to us. Forget about pricey gifts and flamboyant nonsense, find someone to love on this Christmas. Seek out those who may be hurting or lonely. Hold their hand, give them a hug, and just let them know how much they mean to you.

When you start thinking about others, you won't notice all the things you are "missing".