Good morning…
My endless circle of prayer has another twisted link in it. This morning I deeply pray for a family I do not know.
On Thanksgiving morning, our youngest son, Jeremiah, came home after spending a celebratory night at a friend’s house. This family’s son celebrated similarly, but their son did not come home. He ended up falling asleep beside a friend at another house, and he never woke up. Both students at the University of Georgia, our sons share lots of overlapping really good friends.
In addition, our oldest son was just getting to know this young man. Kyler has been doing college ministry at Georgia Tech since he graduated several years ago, and just this fall he got married, moved to Athens, and is helping to begin a Campus Outreach chapter at UGA. Kyler has begun gathering regularly for Bible study with guys from a few of the largest fraternities. This young man, who will be deeply missed by so many, was very engaged and connected to their conversations about life and faith.
On Thanksgiving day, much of our family’s discussion was about how to be helpful in this horrible situation. Being a chaplain in this Atlanta community for nearly thirty years, my husband Steve has met with many families and several friend groups shocked by tragic loss. His seasoned wisdom was mined as we talked about our two son’s support of the grieving process ahead. We trust God to gradually guide a healing way forward.
My endless circle of prayer has another twisted link in it. This morning I deeply pray for a family I do not know. Might you join me in doing the same?
Since the beginning, our loving Creator has been pursuing us, drawing us closer to Him. He invites us to move closer to Him… Now is the time to lament, to grieve, and to cry. Dissolve your laughter into sobbing, and exchange your joy for depression. Lay yourself bare, facedown to the ground, in humility before the Lord; and He will lift your head… (James 4:9-10, VOICE).
…Sue…
