 As
I sit here, on the eve of the Columbine tragedy anniversary I can
not believe it has been 5 years already. It's always weird
around this time for me, it's a very emotional time as I sit and
think about all the young people who lost their lives that day.
Who were robbed of their youth and their lives.
Yet I can not help but see the good in what Satan intended for evil.
If it was not for God's hand upon Rachel's life, and the way He used her
legacy, I don't know where I would be right now. Because of one
young girl's faith and dedication, I was given a wake up call as to how
much God loved me and that He wanted me to come back to Him. After
several years of straying, and doing my own thing, God used a normal,
every day girl who's only crime was loving God with all her heart, to
bring me back to Him. I continue to be so incredibly thankful to not
only God but for Rachel for being faithful to her call upon her life.
Over the past few years, Rachel has become almost like a best friend I
never had. There was a period of time that I went through a really
intense morning period for her. If you read my journals on my first
trip to Littleton, there were times I would just sit at her grave and cry
my eyes out. Over the past several months after learning who Rachel
was, there were times I'd just cry, it was as if I lost a best friend, I
would go through such intense periods of mourning. It kind of
started to weird me out after a while. I was like why am I freaking
out so much over this girl that I never even knew. Little did
I realize God had placed Rachel's story, her life, her legacy into my life
for a reason.
First off, was to bring me back to God, and get a re-newed commitment
to Jesus Christ. Secondly God was preparing me for the death of my
grandmother. At the time I didn't realize it, but I realize it now.
I think back on that cold December night when I found out the news, and
even now as I recall that night, tears flow. And I remember thinking
of Rachel as I laid in bed and cried still in shock, still in disbelief.
And as I thought about Rachel, and I envisioned her looking down at me
from heaven, just like a friend who would never leave me nor forsake me,
she was smiling at me and stretched out her arms as if to hug me. I
will never ever forget that image as I drifted off to sleep that horrible
night. It was then I realized that God placed Rachel's story in my
life to prepare me for this horrible event.
So I continue to be incredibly thankful to God and to Rachel. The
Lord has opened up so many doors over the past two years and I really
believe that this will be a life long ministry. I am so incredibly
honored to be a part of Rachel Joy Scott Ministries, and also to be more
involved with youth ministry at my church. This was the results of
Rachel.
So as we go through yet another anniversary, let us remember Rachel's
family on this difficult day. To so many people it's just another
day, but to her family it is a difficult day. Let us remember to
keep them in our prayers and hearts. Let us also not forget all who
died that horrible day on Tuesday April 20, 1999. My heart and
prayers goes out to all the families on this day! May God bless you
All!
Humbly in Christ,
Mike Santos
Rachel Joy Scott Ministries
April 19, 2004 |
