having charity after tragedy

Hey friends.

I know the tragedy that happened at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas this week is heavy on your mind. It’s heavy on mine too. Those sweet babies did not deserve any of this, and I mourn for them and for their families. I can’t even imagine what the families of those angels are feeling right now, but I pray they may feel comfort, even if it’s just the tiniest amount every now and then.

On top of the heartache and heaviness of the tragedy itself, there is the anger and hatred being spread by so many people right now as a result. I wish I felt that this tragedy has brought our nation closer together, but the division just keeps growing and growing.

I’ve read so many hurtful things on social media. “Their blood is on your hands,” “If you had done _____, this would have been prevented,” “The _____ party is responsible!” “You don’t care about the lives of children,” and so on and so forth. You’ve probably seen it all too.

Of course we should feel angry. Of course we should feel broken. I would be worried if we didn’t. But what are we doing with those feelings? It is normal to want to find someone to blame for what happened when we are angry, but there is one person to blame for this and one person alone. Spewing hate and anger at other people on the internet is exacerbating the problem.

If you are pulling others down and saying hurtful things as a result of this tragedy, you are entirely missing the point. You are part of the problem.

Everybody wants to find a solution so that this never happens again. Everybody is heartbroken over this situation. So rather than keep the hate and anger alive – the very feelings that likely led to this senseless violence – let’s show compassion, kindness, and love. Let’s grieve together and mourn together. Let’s remember the light that these sweet children and their teachers brought to the world. Let’s remember the heroism of those who tried to save these babies and who did save countless more. Let’s love the children in our lives, be more kind to them, and give them more of our time.

Let’s make children a higher priority.

Let’s be present in our lives and bring light to others. Lift each other up. Change will not happen if all we can do is tear others down, throw blame around, and refuse to listen to different viewpoints. We cannot hurt and hate people into agreeing with our opinions. Let’s advocate for the change we wish to see in kind and compassionate ways.

Don’t let this tragedy become worse by spreading division and hate.

Those sweet babies and their families deserve better.