As I've been reading Conference Talks, I was touched by one by Elder Neil L. Anderson. He spoke of healing. Not in a physical sense, although that is also within the purview of the Lord, but about spiritual healing. When we've done something wrong, and everyone has, we should rightly feel guilt. Sometimes we feel shame. Some say that these feelings are not valid, they are bad and unproductive, and I agree in part. Those feelings are horrible, but they are not unproductive if they lead you to real repentance and a change for the better in your life. We are counseled to come unto Christ, so that He may heal us. There is no sin that cannot be forgiven. There is no wrong that cannot, in the end and with proper steps taken, that cannot be wiped clean. I'm grateful for this promise--because the world needs peace and I need mercy. (That's another quote from one of the apostles). I'm so grateful for so many things--not the least of which is the opportunity to ...
whoa.
ReplyDeletei read the article. this boy obviously as gotten to a point where he doesn't understand that any good can actually happen in his life, that he might as well cash it all in. his sickness has become his identity instead of simply being sickness that needs to be addressed and healed. so sad that he equates himself, his very worth, with the rage he is going through. what on earth were his parents doing all these years? i guess i have a pretty good clue.
I wish I knew how to better recognize a troubled teen on the edge of doing something that horrific. I just don't know. Parents need to be so incredibly entwined in their children's lives so that they know what they are doing, what they are feeling and what direction their lives are taking.
ReplyDeleteLast night I spent a great deal of time talking to my eldest child. Being seventeen is so incredibly rough sometimes. Hormones, school, work, peer pressure, the stress of going to college AND high school at the same time. It was good that we spent so much time talking. I even got some hugs. She's an amazing person.
why wouldn't she be? apple don't fall far from the tree.
ReplyDeleteThat's frightening. Made all the more frightening by the ease with which he could access firearms. The US doesn't have any more nutters in the world than anywhere else but it does have nutters with guns. I'm 45 but I can only remember one school rampage in the UK and that wasn't by a pupil. What happens there that it's so different? Pamela has touched on the core though - you have to be in touch with your children. Only parents can teach reality - you can't expect a child to get a balanced view of the world when all it respects are its peers, TV and video games. Very sad.
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