When Things Don't Make Sense

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Psalm 34:18

On Thursday night, Dalia called me to let me know that our coworker from our days of teaching preschool together in Irvine was killed earlier that day.  Her husband came and found her during her lunch break, and shot her to death.  Our worlds are reeling.  Miss Alejandra was a sweet, compassionate, vibrant woman.  She loved going on nature walks with the kids, and teaching them above and beyond what we were required to teach.  Parents loved her because their three year olds came home saying things like, "Miss Alejandra told me today that the sun is made out of hydrogen and helium!"

The preschool that Dalia, Emilie, Stephanie and I worked at years ago was closed yesterday out of respect for the teachers and families.  The four of us couldn't go because of our current jobs, but I wish we could have joined our former coworkers as they laid flowers at the site and gathered together for comfort.

(this picture was shared on a private facebook page for families of the preschool--I didn't take it)

What do you say when tragedy like this happens?  My heart goes out to the director and teachers as they deal with how to explain this to the preschoolers who will be asking about their teacher on Monday.

Please keep Alejandra's family in your prayers as they deal with the grief of losing their daughter and sister, and pray for the protection of the hearts of her three young stepchildren who will be facing a different life now that their dad is in prison for murder.  Please keep the preschool in your prayers, too, that God will bring comfort to all who miss her.

There isn't a way to make sense out of any of this.  I'm not trying.  I'm just asking God to cover many hearts in His peace.

I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the LORD
in the land of the living.
Wait for the LORD;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the LORD.

Psalm 27:13-14