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When I was in school, one of the most irritating things we had to do periodically was participate in fire and tornado drills. What we never did or even conceived of having to do was to prepare students for the possibility of school shootings. Today, things are very different. Parents send their child(ren) to school every day, not knowing whether they will return home safely. Rather than being proactive and preventive with our laws, many elected officials choose to have children become more conditioned or robotic, as if it's just another fire/tornado drill. 

My wife and I can relate, because we still have children in school, ranging from middle school to college. I whispered a prayer for all parents and children as I prepared for today's Discipleship Devotional. No parent should have to worry about their child(ren) safety in a learning environment, but for now, those days are gone, and that is truly a shame. We not only live in the richest, but also the most violent country in the world. When will we learn from so many horrific tragedies? 

Today, I would like to quote those who are victims and survivors of school shootings. Let's read what they've had to say about the matter at hand:

Lorenzo Prado, Parkland School Shooting Survivor, "To let these victims' lives be taken without any change in return is an act of treason to our great country. What we must do now is enact change because that is what we do to things that fail: We change them." 

Florence Yared, Parkland School Shooting Survivor, "The right to bear arms... does not and never will overpower the individual's right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We cannot protect our guns before we protect our children." 

Brandon Wolf, Pulse Nightclub Shooting Survivor, " After first graders were gunned down at Sandy Hook, what did you do? Not a damn thing. After 49 people, including my two brothers, were murdered at Pulse, what did you do? Not a damn thing. You plugged your ears and turned your eyes and hoped that we would stop talking. Now we're here again. 17 people are dead. 14 of them are children. And what did you do yesterday when given the chance to do something about it? Not a damn thing." 

As you set aside time to prepare for what life has in store for you today, please carry this Discipleship Devotional in your spirit, heart, and mind. Pray for the victims and families impacted by yesterday's school shooting in Minneapolis. In addition, pray for the entire student body, staff, law enforcement, local and national leaders as well. Encourage and demand that those in positions of power use that power to help keep all of our children safe.

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