Beyond Art

 

  “Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute. Rescue the poor and helpless; deliver them from the grasp of evil people.” Ps 82:3-4

 

  “Dear children of the world

 

   It’s not supposed to be like this.”  Darnell Harris

 

  Twenty-one. Nineteen children, two teachers gone. Just. Like. That.

  Seventeen others were injured.

  The injuries to the minds and souls of the survivors could last a lifetime.

  The gunman, an eighteen year old boy, has been killed.

 

  Former pastor of The Meeting House, Tim Day, is facing allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse.

 

  The missing and murdered indigenous children have been forgotten by Canadian mainstream media. So have the missing and murdered indigenous women.

 

  A teenage boy died by suicide while being treated for depression in an institution.

 

  MILLIONS of children are trapped in the sex trade around the world. It’s called a tourist attraction.

 

  She came out from behind the stage curtain, walking like the dead. A grade eight teacher had just put his hand down her shirt.

 

  Some of this has a personal connection.

  Some of these facts are found on the internet where it’s possible to buy a pair of shoes. It’s just as easy to find and purchase the services of child prostitutes involved in sex tourism.

  I could probably write forever about how the abuse of power has destroyed lives. I could probably write forever about where the weak and the helpless have been robbed of dignity and worth and even life itself and nobody noticed or cared.

  I could probably write forever and never come to the end of the grief I am feeling for the children.

  I’ve mentioned adults in this sad commentary. They are or were somebody’s child. Or maybe they were nobody’s child. Maybe parents sold them, their children being a commodity for cash.

 

  And I am blessed to teach my granddaughter how to paint via internet. I look forward to our weekly session and the chance to connect when physical distance is too far to travel for an hour long lesson. These precious moments help me know there is some good in all this awful.

  God, save the children.