Rising from the ashes

Colorado has had a rough summer.  Numerous wild fires caused havoc in the state. Destroying people's homes and livelihoods.  I spent this summer doing plenty of traveling. Even in Atlanta, GA, when people found out I was from Colorado, they immediately asked about the fires.
This week, pure evil showed up in the form of a man, walking into a theater and opening fire on innocent people in Aurora.  12 people lost their lives, over 50 more people were wounded.   It was a senseless act of violence.  No one ever could have anticipated that when they stood in line for their midnight premier at that theater, they were also buying a ticket in a real life nightmare.

Aurora is 30 ish mins away from where I live.  I didn't know anyone in the theater. I am not directly impacted by this tragedy. But from across town, my heart breaks.  I can't wrap my brain around the entire event.  I can't stop watching news updates and press conferences.  Hearing about the lives that were taken far to soon brings tears to my eyes.

I will be honest, that there are quite a few things that frustrate me in light of this tragedy.

1. In no way is this tragedy funny.  Have some respect for the victims and families who lost loved ones in this event. It is not necessary to make jokes about attending the Batman movie armed or in full body armor.  We are not laughing. The 70+ people affected by this tragedy are not laughing.  Grow up....show some respect.

2. I am sick of hearing the debate about gun control in conjunction with this tragedy.  I have read it all via Facebook and other media.  "If people in the theater were carrying concealed weapons, it wouldn't have been such a high death toll" or "if I would have been in that theater, it wouldn't have happened" etc. Seriously??  Just because you have the constitutional right to bear arms and carry a concealed weapon doesn't mean you are QUALIFIED to be the protector of the human race.

3.  Some people are now saying that this even was a government conspiracy.  It has been 72 hours. Families have not even been able to bury the loved ones they lost, people continue to fight for their lives in the hospital.  How dare you disrespect the families involved in this tragedy and the numerous police men, fire departments and other law enforcement agencies involved.

This tragedy has brought the city to it's knees.  There is evil in this world. It is alive and well. When we choose to believe that there is evil in the world, we must also believe that there is good.  Within 72 hours, the amount of love, support and compassion that has been poured into the community is crazy.  God is good, and continues to be good through the trials.  It is when the world seems crazy, beat up and in ashes... THAT is when we can hear God the loudest and feel his presence the strongest.

In the words of one of my athlete's who was directly impacted by the wild fires in Colorado Springs; Fires burn homes, but doesn't burn community.  Hug your family today.  Tell your friends how precious they are. Enjoy every moment. Life is short, and it is unfortunate that a tragedy is the only way that we can jolted out of our day to day life and makes us stand up and realize that life is a blessing and we are truly blessed.

So I will end by saying that we...a collective we for the state of Colorado, victims, families and every day folk who grieve and ache for the victims of this tragedy...... we will rise from the ashes.  One horrifying act does not define Aurora, Colorado or a generation.

Whatever trial you are facing right now.....dust yourself off and stand up.  Face the world and tell them WHO your GOD is.