her prayer and my fears

Last night at a church service I sat next to one of the second graders in my class. As we bowed our heads to pray for all those who lost loved ones in the attacks this week I saw a tear run down her cheek but her eyes stayed closed and her hands folded.
I couldn't help but wonder about what she was thinking.
What is this precious child asking the Lord?
Is she afraid?
Does she know that you love her?
I hope she does.
I know what they hear on the news and what they see on the streets.
I wish these children never had to see the things they see and hear the things they hear.
But I know that they do.
We live in a broken and beyond messed up world.
But our Father hears her prayer. The Lord SEES her tears. And so I wait for the day when he will hold each of these children and wipe away every tear. And I pray that he will comfort them and hold them in his arms and that they will never let go.