Oft times it’s hard to know what to do in the wake of horrendous violence like the shooting in Virginia Beach last week that left (FAR TOO) many people dead and injured.
A late Friday afternoon like every other in the Utilities Building (located next to the Va. Beach Courthouse) where employees were getting ready for their weekend plans.
Plans cut drastically short as a disgruntled colleague opened fire, killing 12 in rapid succession until the police killed him.
This incomprehensible violence has left this (usually) peaceful and fun resort city reeling.
Yet in the darkness of this tragic event, stories of heroism and courage are now surfacing of how the quick thinking actions of a few saved many lives in that busy municipal building.
I grew up in Va. Beach and have many friends and family there. It’s just a 45 minute drive (on a good traffic day) from Williamsburg.
My heart and prayers are with the families of the victims and all those touched in any way by this senseless violence, for the city of Va. Beach to recover from this tragedy with hope and love.
In the face of violent darkness like this, what can we do?
Try to be Love.
Try to be Light.
And do whatever we can to remember the lives of those killed.
They are not just statistics, but mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, sisters, brothers, life partners – with families and communities who will miss them.
Every day, for a long time to come.
photo: Va. Beach boardwalk (D. Woodward)
grace, peace & Light (in darkness)
Virginia
p.s. Had planned to post this quote today, so here it is. When asked if he feared death, poet Robert Lax (1915-2000) said: “We’re all brought into this life because Heaven loves us, and back to that Love we go.”
Roses in the Rubble 
Thank you very beautiful writing…praying..
Praying that God’s love will heal hearts & lives fractured by this violence (!) Comforting to see Va. Beach is putting out hashtags with Love in them to counteract the violence. 💞🌟🙏🌟💞
I thought about how many Christians were surely praying when this news came out. I know I was. I believe those prayers are heard and answered. We just don’t know how. But I know God hears our prayers and He wants us to pray. Blessings!
Amen, Cindy. We may not understand what’s what with all the violent goings on in our whacked out world, but I have seen God bring Light & love in some of the darkest places of tragedy & conflict. Without prayer, mayhap the Light dims, but with prayer – how bright the Light within. 🙏🌟🙏
Amen! ❤ Thinking and praying for you and all the people in that beautiful town. . .May God give them strength and hope in this difficult moments.
Please continue to keep the people of Va. Beach in your prayers, Patty – it’s a long journey forward toward healing of hearts & hurts for so many, including the critically injured sent to ICU. Prayers & Hope – VA 💞🙏💞
Amen!!! ❤
I never realized Virginia Beach has a boardwalk — what a beautiful photo. Prayers for the families and friends of this senseless tragedy.
Va. Beach has a v. long boardwalk (30+ blocks) with beautiful beaches. When we were little my younger brother & I counted our papa’s jogging laps up & down the boardwalk (before my father’s quadriplegia.) Please keep praying, Debbie – healing forhurting hearts & lives is a long journey… 💞🙏💞
Still praying.
🌟🤗🙏🤗🌟
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