What started out as a normal Wednesday evening here in Moncton ended in a series of events and a loss of lives that our town will always remember.  Yet in the midst of the chaos and the fear that makes the hair stand up on your neck, the blessings are so obvious. While much of our city was shut down and we hunkered inside for about 30 hours, I mused on a few things:

1. RCMP officers put their lives on the line daily to protect Canadians. They walk into dangerous situations not knowing all of the details, or how it will end. One of the three who was killed responded so quickly that he left his garage door open and his grill on. He walked into an ambush and gave his life for someone who hated him. And he never came home to his wife and young child.  And I asked myself…who would I put my life on the line immediately for? Perhaps we would all answer “family” to this question. But what about doing this for someone I/you don’t even know? This kind of quick action and sacrifice reminds me of Christ’s love for us when we were “yet sinners.”

2. Children process tragic events better when we are honest with them. Some of my friends and blog readers asked me this yesterday: “How are you explaining this to your kids?” My reply: “We are open with them.” Small Son and Tiny Daughter are pastors’ kids. They are no stranger to hospitals, illness, and death. While we do shield them from gory details and troubling video content, they are and were kept aware of the unfolding events as they happened. We seized the opportunity to teach them about trusting God in scary situations. We talked to them about common sense and about staying calm. We guided their attitudes when they were disappointed about not being able to play outside. We prayed for the gunman and talked about why people act that way sometimes.

3. God is arranging our schedules when we don’t even realize it. On Wednesday, I felt compelled to change the bed linens, straighten the house, and clean the washrooms.  I had no clue that I was getting ready for company. {See next point} Also on Wednesday late afternoon, I had a dentist appointment just a few streets away from where the shooting incident occurred. The dentist called and said I could come an hour earlier than scheduled, and while I was there I heard a comment about how few police there are in Moncton compared to Toronto. That changed quickly just a few hours later.

4. God gives us unexpected opportunities for hospitality. We just need to offer our hearts. {But going grocery shopping the day before helps, too}. 🙂 One of our dear ladies was unable to return home because of the lockdown. So she came home with us…with nothing but her purse. While it was not an ideal situation for her, our family was thrilled to be able to meet some of her needs. Tiny Daughter spent the weekend with her last week, and apparently they talked about her coming here for  a sleepover. It just wasn’t planned ahead of time. 🙂 Hospitality is one of my great loves, so I was richly blessed by this opportunity!

5. Sometimes God knows you need a day of rest. I like to be busy, but there’s only so much housework you can do and then it’s all done. I guess God knew that all of us needed a break, and He ordered some extra hours of couch time, prayer for others, and meaningful conversation with family and the friend who was staying with us.

6. You have to get creative when you are keeping two children inside for 30 hours straight. We folded laundry, played the piano, tried two new recipes {both turned out great!}, churned homemade ice cream, planned out sewing projects, played “There’s A Moose In the House” a few too many times, visited our neighbours, and obsessed over the news.

7. When you decide not to call your family and friends down south and tell them what is going on {so they don’t worry}….you find out that your city has made international news and you’d better call after all.

8.  A gunman on the loose and a locked down city don’t stop neighbours from visiting…and blessing you with a huge bundle of freshly blooming lilacs.

9. The gunman apparently came from a homeschooling, religious family {why do they always?} And I thought when I heard that he came out of the woods and said “I’m done!” that he knew his pleasurable season of sin was over- He. Knew. And for some reason, he didn’t take his own life. He knows better than that, too. He knows God loves Him and would receive and save him in a heartbeat. Who am I to wish anything different for him?

10. I serve a God Who is in control. People are out of control for only a moment in time. Then God says “It is enough.” And during the moments of uncertainty, He protects and blesses and comforts His children. I felt His presence so keenly during the whole ordeal. And I wanted my children to sense that too- to not be consumed by fear, but to rest in our wonderful Father. I serve a God Who brings joy out of grief…Who makes sense out of the senseless…Who redeems even the most tragic of circumstances for His glory.

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