After her telephone call with our grandson, Ruth wrote him a letter. I thought the letter was so helpful that I would pass it on to you. Children are often innocent victims of our society's inability to cope with stress. On television and in our relationships with one another we often pass on to our kids the false notion that problems can be solved more easily with violence than with patience and understanding.
In His Sermon on the Mount, our Lord called the "peacemaker" a "blessed" person. Perhaps this letter will help you be a more effective peacemaker in your larger family. Naturally the name of our young grandson and his school have been omitted.
My Dearest,
I still have you on my mind after our conservation tonight. I needed to write you a note to let you know how sorry I am that you have to deal with such grown up things at such a tender age. It is difficult for adults to deal with such tragedies, as well. This is certainly not what God had intended for your teacher's life. We don't know her heart so we don't know why she would do such a thing, but we do know that God knows. We have to leave it to Him and pray that she will seek His forgiveness and the forgiveness of everyone she hurt. If she is guilty, what she did was really bad and consequently she must pay the penalty for her actions.
You said that she was a very nice person and I am sure that she was. I would bet that before last week she would never in a million years thought this could have happened. Something happened to her. She may have been under a lot of stress. Perhaps she was angry. Maybe she did not have anyone there for her when she needed help. Maybe she didn't even know that she needed help. Obviously, there was a serious problem building inside her. I tell you this not to excuse her for what she is accused of doing, it was unthinkable, but to help you understand why it may have happened.
I am so sorry that it happened to someone you know and admire. I know it seems scary; it does to all of us. I think it seems scary because it just doesn't make sense to us. Don't be afraid to talk about your feelings with your parents and friends. Probably every student at [your school] feels just as you do.
And talk things over with God. Just talk to Him as you would your best friend or your Grandmother. He will speak to your heart and help you.
Granddad and I also pray for you [and your sisters]. God is there for you and will comfort you during these coming days at school. As Christians, we know that, as strange as it may sound, there could be something good that comes from tragedy. At this time, it doesn't seem possible, but God works that way sometimes. He makes something good out of something bad for those who love Him. This is our prayer.
You just remember that YOU ARE LOVED, as high at the highest heavens, as deep as the deepest oceans, and as wide as forever.
Grandmother
