We have had two recent tragedies involving children in our community, and it has shaken all of us. The first involved the mutilation and murder of a young boy with cerebral palsy, one block from our home. His remains were placed on the street, by his father, the murderer, where my children and I frequently walk and daily drive. Another passerby saw them, notified the police and the father confessed and was arrested for the crime.
The second was the rape of 12 year old boy in the restroom of our town's Burger King. The man arrested for the crime is one who frequently rides his bike by our home, and works across the street from our church.
Every crime, especially against a child, is a grievous evil. While they are no less revolting when they occur at a distant location, having these committed practically at our doorstep is alarming to me. I'm not sure whether it is empathy or self-centeredness or a combination of both which draws the frightening conclusion, "That could have been me, or mine."
I struggle with the concept of being vigilant but not fear-driven; compassionate but not morose; as we live our daily lives in this kind of world.
Come Lord Jesus.
1 comment:
The question we face as Christians is how are we "salt and light" in the midst of such evil? Reaching out to the family of victims is one way of coming alongside and showing the face of Christ in the midst of grave darkness. Prayer for the neighborhood as you walk together is another positive way to battle the evil one.
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