School shootings have always made me feel scared and helpless. I knew many of the students who were on campus at the University of North Carolina – Charlotte yesterday… children of precious friends and kids I taught in Sunday school.
What can we do? How can we make sense of this when it is so close to home?
I’ve been thinking about Riley Howell all day… the brave 21 year old who tackled the gunman and chose to give his life to save others. One friend said about him in an interview, “He just cared about people more than himself.” He did the right thing in the most terrifying situation. I imagine courage and love were just some of the things Riley learned early on. How are we teaching our children courage? How are we teaching our children love?
I don’t believe he turned into a superhero for a few seconds. He was simply being himself. In that single defining moment, all that was poured into him throughout his life came pouring out. He spared so many families so much grief. And his heavenly reward I know, will be great. How do we teach our children about sacrifice? How do we teach our children about heroism?
We can tell stories of people like Riley. Riley Howell is our example. We can raise our children to grow up and act heroically and selflessly in a broken, bleeding world. That’s what we can do.
When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.- Fred Rogers
