Santa Clarita Shooting

It was a normal day not much different than any other day. I was preparing my home for a visit—my parents were due in the next day and would be spending the weekend with us. Noticing an early morning text on my phone I picked it up to read it, but was not ready for the words I saw.

“Sweet friend, please pray for one of our local high schools out here—Saugus. There is an active shooter. There have been three to four people shot, most likely kids. They have not caught the shooter and the news has said that he may be heading to an elementary school nearby. This is not my girls school but my heart is breaking right now for our community. Would you please join me in prayer!?”

The words were too much. Instantly my eyes filled with tears as I responded. I’ve lived here in Santa Clarita for over thirty years. It’s a beautiful community with loving people, and the thought of someone shooting at children was unbearable.

My thoughts immediately went to the families already affected and that would be affected by this tragedy. As I prayed I was choking back tears. I didn’t know who I was praying for, but I knew if I had kids at that school I would welcome all prayers. Having raised three kids in our community I couldn’t imagine the horror many parents were no doubt feeling.

Going back to my regular routine didn’t feel comfortable anymore. I reached out to my kids—who I was so thankful had never experienced this—to let them know what was happening.

We (my son, husband, and me) watched the news in horror all the while thinking, This cannot be our community. It all seemed so surreal and unbelievable.

As it turned out the shooter had shot himself and was with the other students who had either been killed or wounded by him. One girl and one boy died and three were injured. The shooter died the next day at the hospital.

I later learned that one of my dearest friends has a son who attends this school. He was in the exact friend group who had been shot at and he knew all of the kids involved. He would have been exactly where the shooting took place, but had slept a bit later that morning. Later he found out that one of his closest friends had been shot and killed and another seriously wounded. How does this wonderful faith-filled young man deal with such a reality?

When his dad was dropping him off that morning he realized what was happening and drove away instead of letting his son out of the car.

How does this happen?

How do our children turn into killers?

God, please intervene and guide us.

The sobering thought that my friend’s son could have been there if he’d been earlier that day reminds me to not be upset when I run behind.

And to…

Never get upset over plans changed.

Be thankful…

When the light turns red and you have to wait longer than expected.

Or…

When the event got cancelled or you get sick and can’t attend.

And especially…

When you get a flat tire or get held up unexpectedly.

Rejoice in detours…

For each detour could very well be the hand of God.

Dear Heavenly Father, please be with those grieving families and surround each one with Your loving care and full embrace. May Your presence be felt and known and please look out for our children. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.