My heart is so heavy with grief from the school shooting at Covenant. Six people were killed and three of these were nine-year-old children. The pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church’s daughter was one. We have families in our church with children who attend there, teachers, and family members. So many in our community have relationships with the precious children and staff there. This is so devastating and so close to our hearts and home.
For so long we have believed that we live in this bubble. In Green Hills, Williamson County and Nashville, we feel far away from the tragedies we have seen in Uvalde, Sandy Hook, Las Vegas, etc. But, now, this is in our own backyard. The evil and brokenness has come to us and to our family. Therefore, we grieve, and we are heartbroken. We need the Lord more than ever.
What we can do now: 1. Pray – We had a Prayer Time at our campuses, and the prayer points are included below. Be praying for Covenant School, all the children, teachers, administrators, etc. that have been impacted physically and emotionally. Pray for healing, hope and help. God is at work protecting all of us, and we need to pray for one another.
2. Talk with your own children – This is the time that our children really need us. Kathy Koon, our Staff Counselor at church, and Chase Baker, our Family Pastor, along with our Family Ministry Team will be giving prayer points and resources for families. Take some time to pray together as a family and talk with your children through this tragedy.
3. Recognize that we live in a broken world – Jesus even told us, “In this world you will have trouble, but take heart. I have overcome the world.” John 16:33. Hold onto Jesus with everything you have. We will go through hardships in this world. Our community needs us today. People at work, school, and in our neighborhoods need to see us loving and caring for one another. Our natural reaction is to hate the world and to pull back from everything, but this is our time to love and share God’s hope with others.
4. Don’t live in fear, but live in faith – We all desperately need Jesus. Our kids especially need the Lord. We can become paralyzed by fear. We can want to keep our kids out of school and away from everything. Yet, while we are in this broken world, we can’t live in fear. We must live by faith. Faith that God can and will protect us and our family. Faith that God is at work even when we can’t see it or understand. Faith calls us to go forward in Him. Be wise and discerning, but always live by faith in the One who holds your heart in His hands.
5. Hug people in your life a little tighter – Hug your kids today. Tell them and others you love them. For some parents, Monday changed everything in their life. We don’t know what will happen today or tomorrow. Don’t hold a grudge, be bitter or angry at someone else; live a life of love. Hold your kids, friends, parents, classmates, teachers, co-workers, and friends close to your heart and value every moment with them. And, know this – God is holding you close to His heart today. Live in His love and grace for you.
We live in a world in desperate need of Jesus. Be at church. Give your kids a spiritual, mental and emotional foundation to handle the challenges they will face. Be in community with brothers and sisters in Christ and walk through the joys and struggles of this life with others. Really – what else is there in life but the Lord and His people? This is all that will last for eternity. Draw close to the Lord today and know that He is drawing close to you and your family.
Below are the prayer points for all of us to join our hearts together to pray for our community. Also, know that the Lord is always there for you. If you need help processing with your kids or yourself, let us, as a church, know and we can connect you with Kathy Koon, our counselor on staff, Amy Alexander at The Refuge Counseling Center, or DayStar for adolescent counseling. Come, Lord Jesus. We need You, and we need each other. Know you are loved.
Prayer points: – Pray for the Covenant School. – Pray for Covenant Presbyterian Church. – Pray for families who lost loved ones. – Pray for healing of the community. – Pray for healing of those on campus during the trauma. – Pray for the teachers, pastors, and leaders as they minister and lead in the wake of this tragedy. – Pray this Scripture: The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and save those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 – Pray the Scripture: Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Matthew 5:4 – Pray the Scripture: Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4
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