Adventures in Parenting

Within just a few days, two schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District experienced shootings. I live in a suburb about 30-40 miles from these schools. School violence is getting too close to home.

A gun in a student’s backpack went off “accidentally” at Gardena High School, and outside El Camino High School in Woodland Hills, a school officer was shot by a man near the school campus. Memories of the tragic massacre of Columbine in 1999 immediately comes back to mind. There is no worst nightmare for a parent than to have their child trapped in a school lockdown.

No matter how much we try to insulate our children by living in a “good” neighborhood, there is, in reality, no “safe” place. As they say, there are no guarantees in life. There are car accidents, illnesses, earthquakes. Last year, four kids were struck by lightning at a church camp in Michigan. There is nowhere to hide.

What are parents to do??

While we should take every precaution, we cannot live in fear. Even our prayers should not be uttered out of fear. Pray with trust that God is here to give you strength and peace, no matter what your circumstances. For those who has suffered pain and loss, hang in there. There is a day coming when there will be no more tears.

May we learn to face the challenges of life with faith and hope that there is redemption for us in the future.