Trek Memories, Interrupted

We had a disheartening experience this week that I feel I need to write about.  If you are uncomfortable with this topic, I'm sorry in advance.

The Boy disclosed to Genius Golfer this week that he has a "friend" who happens to be a girl, who sent him a picture of her naked boobs to his phone.  It made him uncomfortable and he wasn't sure what to do.

At least he told GG about it.  And, at least so far as I can comprehend, he didn't request this photo from her.  But still.

I saw a sign recently that said something along the lines of "One of the best things bout being in my 40s is that we did all our stupid stuff before the Internet."  True.  I know that my generation wasn't perfect, by any stretch of the imagination.  But there is much less proof of it now.

These kids today have electronic shadows that will follow them forever.  And when they compound this fact with stupid choice too, it only makes it worse.

I feel bad for my son, who was confused, and probably a little excited--he's a boy, after all--then guilt for feeling that, and now he is ashamed.  And it wasn't his initial action that started it all.  But he is dealing with the fall out. I hope he is learning too.  We have had to talk to him about Child Pornography and having that on his phone makes him culpable too. 

I feel really bad for this girl though.  She got the idea that she will get attention--that she obviously craves--with this kind of behavior. the problem is that this is not the kind of attention she ultimately wants.  I'm sure she is some Dad's "Baby Girl" and some Grandma's "Little Darling" and even someone's "Big Sister", but she has also made her self an object for other people to consume.  And that is sad.

How will she ever feel the real value she hold innately as a daughter of God?  How will she find the self-worth to recognize her own potential?  How will she understand that she is, of herself, worth real love and devotion someday?

I guess a part of me will always be a YW leader.  This girl and her action break my heart.  And at the same time, make me want to call her mom.  It is a hard lesson, but a necessary one--for both the sender and the recipient.

What a Comforting Idea

I ran across this painting posted online yesterday and thought it was just a beautiful depiction of peace and calm and comfort.  It is certainly the way I'd like to think of those poor little children in Connecticut last Friday.

Repercussions

After last Friday's tragic elementary school shooting, I just didn't have the heart to write.  It made the weekend dark and dreary, and today's morning Admin meeting at our local high school was also still reeling.

Why does this sort of thing happen?  Why does it keep happening?  What is wrong with people?  And how soon can the Second Coming actually happen?  I can't take this kind of news anymore.

I recall hearing the news about the Columbine shooting, andlater that day seeing the news footage showing the kids running out of the school and away with their hands on their heads.  I cried then. 

I remember sitting on our couch--on my day off--VERY pregnant, watching the aftermath of the Oklahoma City bombing, just weeping about this awful world I was bringing this precious baby into.  How could I' dare that?

I felt like I'd been punched in the stomach at the news of the Aurora Colorado movie theater shooting this summer.  What began as an anticipated night of friends and fun, turned deadly and tragic.

How many more of these do we need to have?  What will it take for people to stop wanting to hurt others?  How bad does the earth have to get before the Lord just pulls the plug?

My heart breaks for the little families in that town--whether or not they lost their own children that day.  The town's children were taken.  One man's senseless act will be felt for generations and throughout our country.  Justice, surely, will come in the next life, but understanding here and now is harder to grasp.

Prayers, in the mean time, are all I can  offer.  And with them, I hope for peace and comfort for any with reasons to mourn.  And that really means all of us.