I can pretty much see Gods hand even in the worst of circumstances. I see his goodness come out of the unthinkable but there has been a story in the news that's really been bothering me. The story on the national news of a local woman who was killed, while her young son was molested and kidnapped but let loose in a road side park near columbus. It was an unspeakable and evil act, to kill a young woman who was protecting her son. I hurt for her, for her son, for their family but on top of all that hurt my heart bleeds for the young man who admitted to the crime. When I heard his history, he was born with fetal alcohol syndrome, he lived with his father in homeless shelters, he's death, he tried to commit suicide at the age of 11, he can hardly speak, he was in something like 20 or 30 foster homes, he doesn't have the mind and comprehension of a mature adult. The story from both sides is so horrendous. I realize I don't know the entire story but this man didn't seem to have a chance from the very start and it just breaks my heart. I can't see God anywhere in any of it. It's one of those rare times when I really struggle with my faith. It really bothers me.

Suzanne,

You have such a heart of mercy and that's why this bothers you as it does others maybe to different degrees. One thing to keep in mind in a situation like this is that we as the public don't really know all of the intimate details of a person's life. That's the part where we can know God is because He does know all of the details and the entire situation. I'm sure this man was molested as a child and was acting out, but God is capable of reaching anyone no matter the handycap. Sometimes we don't see God in a situation because the story's not over yet. We don't know how God will use this situation to reach people and how many people may make better decisions because of the tragedy of this. It's a reflection of some of the problems and issues we have as a nation and how we tend to sweep them under the rug until it can't be hidden anymore. It becomes exposed and manifested in situations like this. I was 5 when I was walking through the woods from one area I used to play at to my house on the other side of this large wooded area and was beaten by two older boys and I remember the pain and terror. I remember every punch and how afraid I was as I lay there on the ground. I'm not sure if I was molested then or not. I can't remember, but I eventually was let go and walked up the hill to my house and told the story to my Mother between sobs. I can't remember anything after that about the situation. If nothing else, I understand sin, fear, helplessness, pain & being alone, but I know firsthand the value of and the difference between God's ways and satans' and for me that's important. Sometimes through suffering, it is how we are brought to understanding of things. Just know that one day, we will understand it all perfectly and that God will wipe away every tear and there will be no more crying or pain or death because the old order (former things) will be passed away. Also remember that God can get a person through anything....anything. love, michaiah