As the tragic news of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut became known, I began receiving messages from around our country as well as invitations to gather at churches locally.  From Pennsylvania: “Please know I’m uniting with all those in prayer for the dear children and families in Newtown…” From Arizona and Massachusetts: “Our prayers are with your community, with love…”  From Colorado: “We’re lighting candles and are in prayer for those 20 children and their families…” 

Some are wondering, why would God allow this?  Elijah a Biblical prophet, wondered the same as he watched a great wind, an earthquake, and a fire pass by the mountain top where he was hiding from a death threat.  Then he heard a still, small voice.  He realized God didn't cause those things, but was guiding and comforting him in spite of human circumstances.

A great thank-you goes out to Pennsylvania, Arizona, Massachusetts, Colorado, Connecticut, and to all across our nation and world who are responding in prayer to this tragedy. Your prayers are felt!

And my prayer includes a hope echoed by Mary Baker Eddy. A renowned religious leader at the turn of the 20th century, speaking to the violence she witnessed in her own day said, “May the great Shepherd that ‘tempers the wind to the shorn lamb,’ and binds up the wounds of bleeding hearts, just comfort, encourage, and bless all who mourn.”