If you adhere to the belief that God exists and there is a heaven and hell, you've almost certainly wondered about what it takes to enter the land of eternity.
I've heard it can't be done through performing good deeds alone, but I think that has a lot to do with it, especially when it comes to how you treat the least among us, particularly children.
No children have ever been treated worse than the 20 students killed by a deranged gunman at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., last Friday morning.
While there is an urge to declare the gunman, Adam Lanza, should rot in the fiery pits of hell, it's best not to judge, even in horrific circumstances such as these.
Instead, the focus here will be shifted to a more noble notion: For every, Lanza, for every child molester, for every person who intentionally hurts a child in any way, there are countless others who have given part or all of their lives toward helping children.
Just take a look at Page A4 of Monday's edition of The Daily Journal. It detailed how groups including the Marine Corps League Detachment 1253, local law officers, members of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Kankakee and the office of state Rep. Lisa Dugan made efforts to provide a brighter Christmas for some of the area's more needy children.
A feeling of helplessness has engulfed the nation in the wake of the tragedy, and people from coast to coast have asked themselves "what can I do to prevent such tragedies from happening again?''
The answer can be found in part by continuing to do the type of activities the aforementioned charitable groups have done. Be kind and helpful to children, and don't just confine those activities to the holiday season.
You can't hide the fact that evil exists in this world, especially now. You shouldn't discount it, and when children want to talk about it, let them express their feelings and engage in conversation with them.
But actions always have spoken louder than words. Take action, whether it be formal or informal, to let kids know the good far outweighs the bad regardless of what currently is being seen on television, on the Internet and in newspapers.
Abraham Lincoln, the 16th president and the greatest to ever serve the United States, said it best when he stated "no man stands so tall as when he stoops to help a child.''
People are bending at the knees by the millions right now to pray for the victims of the Connecticut tragedy. It's important to stay in that position and do what Lincoln said. The welfare of our nation and our planet depend on it.
<em>Mike Frey is the managing editor of The Daily Journal. He can be reached by telephone at 815-937-3343 or by email at mfrey@daily-journal.com.</em>