Holes in the floor of heaven

Driving home from Christmas celebrations with family, the kids and I reflected on the tragedy in Connecticut. Adults are having a hard enough time reconciling Friday's school shooting and I wondered how the children were processing it. We've limited what was viewed, especially for Nick.

We decided this would be the best Christmas ever for the children & adults who were killed. The grief is certainly present for those on earth left to carry on lives. But for those who suffered between 9:30 and 9:38 am, they would be greeted by Jesus himself. They could hear the story of the first Christmas from him, warmed by love and healing. Any memory of the tragedy would be erased. In fact, maybe it happened so fast they didn't know what had occurred.

Rather, they would be prepared for the absolute best field trip of their life. The heroic teacher and others who risked their lives to try and spare the children would jump into action, telling the children they would have the best day they've ever had. They would be able to visit the places on earth they'd always wanted to see, all in one day, and without any danger. They could climb mountains, sail the oceans, even navigate the boat themsleves. They could fly planes, climb the stairs of castles, or even scale the Great Wall of China. All in one, class field trip led by their beloved teacher.

As I've long said, the concept of time would be different. So, just when it's time for them to "go home" at the end of the day, it would be forty of fifty years in time as we know it. And it would be time for their brothers, siters, mothers or fathers to naturally meet them in heaven. But to the children, all they would know is the best day of their lives. They would not know the terrors that filled those final moments or that they were ever gone.

It's a deep explanation, I know. But, I firmly believe in a God who would warm each child's heart, heal any "ouches" including painful memories. It would be a day to celebrate Christmas as they never had.

Of course, the loved ones left behind are the ones who require our prayers. As we discussed this, we looked over and saw rays of sun poking through clouds in the Ohio countryside. Like lyrics in the song, we decided this shot was "holes in the floor of heaven."

Appropriate. Maybe God would agree with our explanation. Much love to the families of those lost on Friday. And to borrow lyrics from Leann Rimes, you're also "on the side of angels."