“The
price of inaction is far greater than the cost of making a
mistake.” - Meister Eckhart
A
tragedy occurred yesterday and I am overwhelmed by two things: a
compulsion to say something and an inability to put my thoughts on
paper.
Twenty
children and eight adults were killed yesterday (December 13, 2012)
in a shooting spree at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut.
Barely 24 hours later, there is still no answer to “Why?” By way
of a feeble response, many have already said, “Things have got to
change!”
In a
curious piece of statistical information on Facebook yesterday, it
was noted that over 10,000 handgun killings have occurred in the
United States in 2012. Far and away exceedingly more than in any
other jurisdiction listed in the data. Both of these pieces of
information are an extremely sad commentary on the societal illness
of Canada's nearest neighbour.
It is
long past time for things to change. The protection, education, and
upbringing of our children IS far more important than anyone's
“right” to bear arms. The primary right is for children to have
healthy, meaningful lives. We all must stop just talking about this
and be tremendously intentional about living this truth. NOW!!
How we
do this, I am not sure but we must NOT let any timidity or
uncertainty keep us from trying, from taking steps, from moving
forward, from risking mistakes on the road to productive action.
This is NOT something about which we can satisfy ourselves in just
praying or lighting a virtual candle on Facebook. Neither is action enough!
Put
some muscles on those prayers. Hug a kid. Call another person out
for any kind of bullying. Say those words that too often sit
silently on your lips when you know someone has acted or spoken
inappropriately, falsely – especially to or toward a child. Don't
be silent. Speak up! Don't stand still. Stand up!
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