#PrayForNewtown

Today is one of the saddest days our country has faced collectively in a while. News of death, and in this case, the deaths of so many children - it has broken our hearts together. And so, for a time, for a long time, the pieces of our hearts will again lie scattered on the floor.

The grief is palpable. As I ran around today, doing things, grieving inwardly, I thought about why my own heart is so touched by this grief. I decided that it's because this type of event is universal. This shooting could have been at the school around the corner from my house, or down the street from my church. This shooting could have been at my stepson's school or the schools where our family members or friends' kids attend, or where my friends or church members work or attend.

But beyond that, it is the age-old grief of Rachel, weeping for her children. Weeping for the loss of life so young. Weeping because this is senseless. Weeping because death seems to come to us too often - just when we think we've caught our breath, there is more death waiting to greet us.

Oh, my friends. It is a challenge to live. It is a challenge to continue to live with hope and faith when death not only greets us, but spits in our faces. It is such a challenge to claim life - joyous life, loving life, life hidden away in God.

But that is somehow what we will do. The death doesn't get to win. Let us choose life.