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Tragedy at Virginia Tech
Musings of a Mom
MaryJane Pierce Norton
On this date, April 17, 2007, I’m thinking of my son who is a sophomore in college. No, he isn’t at Virginia Tech. But for all of us who are parents, grandparents, church family caring for sons and daughters in college, the events of Monday can’t help but trouble our hearts and awaken our fears.
I am thinking today of those parents and loved ones who received news yesterday that their son or daughter fell victim to an assassin’s bullets. The despair, grief, loneliness, anger, sorrow has to be overwhelming.
I am thinking of those professors who lost their lives yesterday along with the lives of their students. These dedicated teachers gave hours and hours to young people, helping them grow and learn.
And because we are a praying people, I offer this prayer:
Gracious God:
There are those things that happen in the world that make us want to shake our fists and cry and strike out. This is particularly true when events seem senseless, full of needless violence, and take lives full of promise. It hurts our hearts and our souls to hear about and witness such an event.
We pray for those families and loved ones who have lost sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, classmates and friends. If we could touch each one with loving hands, we would. And so we offer this prayer as touch to each of them.
We pray for those who were wounded yesterday and have days or months or years of recovery. We are reminded that both wounds of the body and wounds of the spirit need your healing touch, and we ask that each of them be surrounded by the light of your healing love.
We pray for those who have survived, and yet feel guilty for surviving. A random act like this takes the lives of some and leaves others, who then ask, “Why was I spared?” May your comfort rest upon them.
We pray for those who now walk forward in life, dealing with this loss. Give them the wisdom to grieve, the fortitude to walk through this valley of death, the strength from caring people who are there for each of them, and the knowledge that on this day, you, Our God, cry and grieve with them as well.
We pray for the one who engineered this violence. We don’t understand. We may never understand. And yet as part of your family – as a child of God, we pray for this person as well – not understanding, but obediently lifting all of your children to you in prayer.
Walk with us, O God. Be our strength. Open us up to the ways we may be of service to you and your people, not just in the midst of this tragedy, but day by day. In humble gratitude we pray, remembering that your sacrifice of your son Jesus is always before us. Amen.
MaryJane Pierce Norton is Director of Family Ministries at GBOD
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