how long?

How long? Will You turn Your face away?

How long until returning to normal after a global pandemic doesn’t mean mass shootings?

How long? Do You hear us when we pray?

How long do we have to beg for legislation that saves lives?

On and on, still we walk this pilgrim way - How long?

How long will we excuse deadly behavior as the result of “a bad day” when others have died over skittles and monopoly money?

How long 'til Your children find their rest?

How many generations of our children will practice “active shooter drills” just in case?

How long 'til You draw them to Your breast?

How long will we live in fear that we or someone we love will be next?

We go on holding to Your promises - How long?

How long until we start consistently calling this what it is - domestic terrorism?

How long 'til Your word will still the storm?

How long will we ignore the wounds inflicted by weapons of racism, sexism, homophobia, xenophobia, and white supremacy?

How long 'til You bare Your mighty arm?

How long until we love our kids, our neighbors, and their lives more than we love guns?

How we groan 'til You snatch us from the thorns - How long?

How long?

Caroline Sterr