Focus

Experience silence in the midst of your busy day. Take some time to relax into a time to be with God.

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Read

Psalm 23 (NRSV)

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures;
he leads me beside still waters;
he restores my soul.
He leads me in right paths
for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I fear no evil;
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff—
they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
my whole life long.

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Reflect

As I read posts on Facebook, I sometimes am amazed by what people say. Others probably feel the same way about my posts at times. One recent post had a timeline of the increasing number of school shootings this year. People responded by making a case for what each felt caused these horrible events. Someone posted that what we needed was to put God back in school. I wanted to reply by asking that person where he thought God was when these tragedies occurred. Instead, I just closed the app and reflected. God does not promise that bad things will not happen, but God does promise not to forsake us.

Each day I go to work as a middle school librarian. School shootings are on the minds of every student and staff member. It is an all-too-real part of our and others’ daily lives. Conversations regarding safety and protocol for an active shooter happen on an almost daily basis—a first in my 25 years in education. Even with these conversations each day, I see God in the students, teachers, and staff, and their interactions with one another.

My hope is that no matter what, others continue to find God—even in the tragedies.

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Pray

God, take our worries and fear from us. Comfort us and restore our souls even as tragedy surrounds us. May we find peace in knowing you are always with us. Amen.

Go with God.