On Friday, December 14, even non-religious people knew that evil was at work.  What happened in small town in Connecticut was unthinkable. But in the midst of reports of horrific murder, I saw things for which I was thankful.

In spite of all the moral and spiritual decline in our country, I am thankful that teachers will still do anything they can to help and protect their students.  I am thankful that when bad guys are around, no matter how dangerous it is, people expect the police to come, and still call them the good guys.  I am thankful that the firehouse is still a place where people can feel safe.  I am thankful that when lives are shattered and hearts are broken, that no matter how much they have ignored God, most people still realize that God is the direction in which they must look, that He is a solid anchor when everything else is uncertain. And I am thankful that when people have deep sadness, no explanations, and little hope, that they still sense that healing starts when you gather at a church building with others also looking to God.

I pray for those broken by this tragedy. I pray that they, and we, will continue to turn to God, to become close to Him through faith in Jesus, and will find the grace we need to cope in the face of great evil.

And let’s help, support, and love each other as we gather for worship at church this Sunday.

First Baptist Church of Perryville is located one and a half miles east of Rt. 222, across from the Principio Health Center.