Regarding gun control, there are sensible measures that must be examined - restricting military weapons that have no real use in the civilian world, for instance, finding better ways to keep guns out of the hands of convicted felons and the mentally disturbed - these are things the vast majority of Americans would support, if only our elected representatives had the courage to lead.
As for mental health care, according to Human Rights Watch, the number of mentally ill inmates in U.S. prisons quadrupled from 2000 to 2006, and it continues to rise. With state-run treatment centers and hospitals being forced to shut their doors due to lack of funding, prisons like Rikers Island, the LA County Jail and Cook County Jail are now the last resort for the mentally ill. Unfortunately, in a society that places a stigma on mental illness and combined with our broken healthcare system, we are not provided many other options. This too must change.
Most are familiar with these discussions. And yet the one that gets me the most is one that seems to be more spiritual in nature. There is talk in Newtown that there will be no Christmas this year. Some are beginning to remove Christmas decorations and local restaurant owner Joe Tartaglia said, "It feels wrong to even think of playing Christmas music."
The healing process has begun, and it is imperative that we remember God gave us his only Son so that He might help us do the things we cannot do ourselves. If you have not seen or heard the story of "Sticky Jesus," I encourage to view the link below.
Remember Jesus wants "to get His hands dirty" for us. He is among us to help us heal so that we might in turn, help those around us. The road to recovery will be a long one, but to the community of Newtown, to those in places near and far that might be going through difficult times, "through Him all things are possible" (Philippians 4:13).
God Bless You Each and Everyone. Merry Christmas!!!
