Links-R-Us, Vol. 20

Once again I find that Link-Friday has snuck up on us.  And, ironically enough, it has chosen to fall on Friday.  I’d like to take this time to thank everyone who voted in last week’s Link-Friday competition.  Your winning link for last week was...  None!  Nobody voted.  Who knew?  Maybe we’re just getting off to a slow start.  Or, maybe the links were too boring.  Or, maybe this is really a silly idea on my part.  Unfortunately, I really don’t have an answer for which of the above it is.  So…  We’ll try it again this week to see if there are any takers…  Thanks in advance for giving it a shot.

Here is lots of info from great people about talking to your children about tragedy.  Sure this information came out in response to the Newtown shootings, but it is relevant to all tragedies.  Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to all effected by this tragedy.

Newtown, CT

As a parent, my heart aches for those that are and will be affected by the senseless and horrific violence that occurred today in Newtown, CT. at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

I won’t lie – I haven’t read a single story about what has occurred.  I read the headlines with the quotes of how many beautiful children have had their lives cut short so tragically and intentionally stayed away.  I have a seriously hard time dealing with things such as this as my mind flashes to the “what ifs:”

• What if it was my child / children?
• What if it wasn’t them but they were the ones who survived?
• What if I something else happens and I never get to hug or hold my little ones again?
• What if, what if, what if…

I don’t have answers to any of those questions, but they will paralyze me if I dwell here too long.  So, I will avoid the news until such time as I will be able to actually sit down and work thru each of these questions – until I can bawl my eyes out from the pain – until I can hug and hold my children in safety once again tonight.

But until then I will pray.  I will pray that these children and their families are comforted by our Savior Jesus Christ today and always.  I will pray that my children come home safe to me once again.  And I will pray for one more chance to do things right for them.

So tonight, hug and hold your little ones and other loved ones a little closer and pray for those who can’t.