Eight children killed in Cairns were just some of the victims of 2014. Photo / File
Often in the latter part of this year of inhuman murder and mayhem, I have heard or read the question: "Where is God in all this? Or: "How could God let this happen?"
Each time I am reminded of the answer to exactly those questions, given by a daughter of the international evangelist, Billy Graham, to a television interviewer in the wake of the devastating Hurricane Katrina 10 years ago.
Anne Graham Lotz said: "I believe God is deeply saddened by this, just as we are, but for years we've been telling God to get out of our schools, to get out of our government and to get out of our lives. And being the gentleman he is, I believe he has calmly backed out.
How can we expect God to give us his blessing and his protection if we demand he leave us alone?"
That is something to think about at the end of what has been an eminently forgettable year, general elections notwithstanding. Too many things have happened that many of us would rather forget.
But that won't happen. In fact, 2014 will live on in the memories of many New Zealanders for life - a year indelibly inscribed on the memory of a nation, more heavily for some of us than for others, as a time of deep and abiding personal loss.
If you don't believe me, let's take a look at the headline stories on the nzherald.co.nz home page for the afternoon of Friday, December 19.
- A computer gamer who bashed and critically injured his baby boy has been sentenced to jail for the act described as "a complete horror story".
- Name suppression has lapsed for a Marlborough man convicted of 35 crimes, including rape, spanning nearly three decades against girls aged between 12 and 16.
- An Auckland woman who kept 50 cats living in disgusting conditions with serious infections and ailments has been sentenced for her neglect.
- A wealthy businessman who chained up a woman in his "dungeon" and forced her to perform sex acts has been jailed for 15 years.
- Australian actor Jeremy Kewley, who has appeared in TV shows such as Underbelly and Neighbours, faces more than 100 charges for indecent acts involving boys.
- Scotland Yard investigates the murder of three young boys by a VIP paedophile ring, after a credible witness says a Tory MP killed a boy during a sex attack.
- Former Catholic brother Bernard McGrath will be extradited to Australia to face 252 child-sex abuse charges.
- Eight children are dead and a woman is in hospital after a multiple stabbing in far north Queensland. Police have confirmed the victims are aged between 18 months and 15 years.
And all this just days after 145 children and adults in Pakistan died at the hands of benighted Islamist maniacs just for going to school.
In the godless society we've devised for ourselves, expect more of the same in the year about to dawn.
Nationally, the economy under an increasingly right-wing National Government will continue to increase the divide between rich and poor; low wages and the erosion of traditional workers' rights will reduce many to near-slavery; we will still pay far too much for food, motor fuel and other necessities; the poverty-stricken will still be with us and thousands of children will continue to live without adequate food, shelter and clothing; many little ones will suffer horrific abuse from parents and caregivers; cruelty will continue to be visited on far too many animals; disrespect for the police will bring more assaults on officers; the crime and road tolls will stay pretty much the same.
So, as usual, the only thing that will change at midnight tonight will be the numbers on the calendar.
New Year's resolutions notwithstanding, we will all carry into next year all the problems we have right now - and more.
Oh well, as the old proverb says, "Hope springs eternal in the human breast". Just as well, eh?
• garth.george@hotmail.com