Today, I heard a teen say, “It was our turn.” Maybe to play a game, or get in the cafeteria line, but God, please, not to die at the hands of a classmate. The words, “Active Shooter” slam terror into the heart of anyone who has ever loved anyone, and today it was not somewhere else, today, it was here at home.

A sad, broken teen took a gun to Saugus High School on this, the morning of his 16th birthday, shot 5 classmates in 16 seconds, and then turned the gun on himself. Two teens have died, and the shooter lies in the hospital.

I watched the helicopter news feeds today, scanning lines of students for the faces of my neighbors. I held my breath waiting for my friends to answer the text I had written and edited several times, “Are the girls OK?”

Yes, they were. Relief flowed, but sadness came also, knowing that other moms were not able to write the same.

Can I share a few things with you? Maybe as you consider the sadness before you some of these thoughts will resonate with you.

• We live in a broken world. We feel the brokenness in our bodies, in our politics, and in our relationships. We spend our days trying to pick up the shattered pieces, but never get it all together.
• We were created for something other than brokenness. Our hearts are restless and empty until we understand the significance of what we have been made for, of WHO made us.
• The Creator, holy God offers to be our Almighty Comforter and Father, but our choices from the time of creation have pushed Him as far away as we can.
• And yet, He promises to give wisdom and comfort and salvation to those who ask. This is possible because of the life and death of Jesus. You can read about His work on our behalf here.

Not ready to read yet? Watch this beautiful song as it asks the question, “Do we feel the world is broken? Do you wish that you could see it all made new?” We do! Andrew Peterson

Please friends, if you need someone to talk to, to pray with, don’t hesitate to send me a message. Also, find a local church that can help walk with you. I am a part of Grace Baptist just around the corner from Saugus High School. Here is a video of this evening’s prayer service that may help you think and pray about this trauma. You can find more about the church here.

King David wrote a song about 3,000 years ago that seems to have been written for a grieving Santa Clarita this evening. May these words point you to the only lasting comfort available.

For the choir director: with stringed instruments, according to Sheminith. A psalm of David.

¹ Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger;
do not discipline me in your wrath.
² Be gracious to me, Lord, for I am weak;^[a]
heal me, Lord, for my bones are shaking;
³ my whole being is shaken with terror.
And you, Lord—how long?

⁴ Turn, Lord! Rescue me;
save me because of your faithful love.
⁵ For there is no remembrance of you in death;
who can thank you in Sheol?

⁶ I am weary from my groaning;
with my tears I dampen my bed
and drench my couch every night.
⁷ My eyes are swollen from grief;
they grow old because of all my enemies.

⁸ Depart from me, all evildoers,
for the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping.
⁹ The Lord has heard my plea for help;
the Lord accepts my prayer.
¹⁰ All my enemies will be ashamed and shake with terror;
they will turn back and suddenly be disgraced.