I found this poem floating around Facebook, written by Cameo Smith. It has been shared more than 88,000 times and is so fitting as the days lead up to Christ’s birth.
twas’ 11 days before Christmas, around 9:38
when 20 beautiful children stormed through heaven’s gate.
their smiles were contagious, their laughter filled the air.
they could hardly believe all the beauty they saw there.
they were filled with such joy, they didn’t know what to say.
“where are we?” asked a little girl, as quiet as a mouse.
“this is heaven.” declared a small boy. “we’re spending Christmas at God’s house.”
when what to their wondering eyes did appear,
but Jesus, their savior, the children gathered near.
He looked at them and smiled, and they smiled just the same.
then He opened His arms and He called them by name.
and in that moment was joy, that only heaven can bring
those children all flew into the arms of their King
and as they lingered in the warmth of His embrace,
one small girl turned and looked at Jesus’ face.
and as if He could read all the questions she had
He gently whispered to her, “I’ll take care of mom and dad.”
then He looked down on earth, the world far below
He saw all of the hurt, the sorrow, and woe
then He closed His eyes and He outstretched His hand,
“Let My power and presence re-enter this land!”
“may this country be delivered from the hands of fools”
“I’m taking back my nation. I’m taking back my schools!”
then He and the children stood up without a sound.
“come now my children, let me show you around.”
excitement filled the space, some skipped and some ran.
all displaying enthusiasm that only a small child can.
and i heard Him proclaim as He walked out of sight,
“in the midst of this darkness, I AM STILL THE LIGHT.”Written by Cameo Smith, Mt. Wolf, PA
The Monday After Sandy Hook, Did Her Kids Go to School this Morning?
There it is–Reality. Elijah’s little blue camo backpack and Cheyenne’s vibrant colored backpack and boots are sitting side by side in their respective places. My kids’ clothes laid out for Monday’s events and I stare at the front door. Tomorrow I’ll send them to school. I’ll send them off to a place out of my arms, out of my reach and fear seizes my heart while my mind begins to rationalize. “It won’t happen here, what are the chances?”
And tonight I’ll be doing what every mom is doing, getting my kids ready for school, surrendering my heart to fully trust God to keep my babies safe. I’m sure every other mom in America is going through the same thing, signing notes, checking planners, prepping lunches and setting their children’s things by the door. Each mom questioning what tomorrow holds, battling fear and wondering if there will be a copycat shooting of Sandy Hook at their child’s school.
The moments left of feeling safe and having my children in arm’s reach are slowing ticking away, melting away into the morning—into the Monday after Sandy Hook.
I want to defy routine, forget the value of friendship, playground adventure and education, I want to lock the doors and keep my babies home. But I can’t—it would actually do my children more harm than good. So I move forward with one direction in mind, to look fear in the eye and trust. I will trust my children will be safe. I will trust my children’s teachers to hold my children even closer under the hem of their wings, knowing how every mother’s heart will ache as the front door swings shut.
***At the least my heart ebbed with fear as I kissed my kids goodbye with a smile on my face, reassuring they would be safe as they left my arms of protection this morning.
Moms everywhere, what are you feeling? Are you sending your kids to school or have you decided to keep them home another day? Are you resolved to stare fear in the face?
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