Earlier this week, a friend of mine from church committed suicide. His death came as a shock to all of his church friends, as he always seemed to be very happy at church. He was always smiling, always exited about whatever was going on. He was one of my buddies, that I would hug almost every Sunday morning. He had been active as a leader in the youth group, and taught a sixth grade Sunday school class.
None of us saw it coming.
The loss of someone so routine is devastating. I know that I, personally, took his presence for granted. He always was there, and he would always be there, asking about the newest trip for youth, or checking in to see how I was doing.
What amazed me was the church's response. He died around 9:00 PM. By the time my parents got the news (around 10:30 PM) several of the men in the church had already made it to his wife's house, and several women were already on their way. One couple in the church sent their children to their grandparent's house (also members of the church), so the couple could go be with his wife.
The church flocked to her side.
We may not always agree on theology, and we may not agree on how the church should work.
But when a person in the church needs someone, we're there. We are a family. We support each other.
I guess the church's response shouldn't have amazed me. People coming together is nothing new.
The church's response comforted me. It was comforting to know that, even if it's 10:30 at night, someone will be there.
I felt that comforting presence after the death of my great grandmother two years ago, and then again after the death of my grandmother last fall.
It's different when you look at it from the outside. It's different when you're not the one consumed with grief, and can see the church coming together. Don't get me wrong. I'm grieving. He was a friend of mine, and a big part of my life. But the focus is on his family, and those who knew him better than I did.
People sometimes ask where you see God at work.
I saw God at work through him.
I see God at work right now, in the rush to comfort his family, in the rush to help the younger ones understand what's going on, and yes, in the grief of the church. We can't always come together on issues, but we can come together to love.
~~~~~
Thank-you for being such an important person in all of our lives. You certainly made an impact.
There are not words that can express the loss that we feel.
You will be missed.
Please, rest peacefully.
~~~~~
