“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?’” John 11:25-26
I fell into a hole last night and didn’t even see it coming! We were out with some friends singing Karaoke when Karen came up and asked if I had attended the funeral of Dylan. If you have ever had a punch in the heart like this one, you know the feeling. In an instant, my life changed. The ‘falling into the hole’ process starts with a dark, confusing attempt to find something solid to stand on.
I met Dylan after meeting Karen. We had been at the same place doing the same thing we were last night. She was a teacher, and after finding out what I did, she asked if I’d be interested in mentoring a 9th grader who could use some help. One thing led to another and, about a month later, I met Dylan. Soon, Dylan brought 2 friends and we had weekly appointments. Then time moved us.
For about 2 years Dylan and I got together. Two years of creative thinking, adapting and praying to discover what I could do that would be beneficial. Donuts and Breakfast Sandwiches soon became a staple. But I ALWAYS made sure that Jesus was there as well. I know he heard every word. But time and events move, and the desires of a 14 year old are a lot different than at 16.
Other than desire over time, there was no 1 reason we stopped getting together. After a while, and after too many no shows, we just grew apart. I couldn’t MAKE him meet with me, so time brought us to a fork in the road where he went in another direction. I’d call him once in a while… he was doing well. My last call was around Thanksgiving last year. Last night I heard he had been killed in January!
I’m still in shock and didn’t sleep well last night. I’d wake up and he was on my mind with questions that I had no answers for. Finally, after running to Jesus in the midst of them, I placed those questions into His hands by faith. I am thankful that I had the opportunity to meet this young man and share what I could about life and The Savior.
One thing I have discovered out of this news is that I am honored to have met, gotten to know and to share the real meaning of life with a young man that no longer has a life here on this Earth. The sad story makes me want to remember that life is sad. And that there is truly only 1 hope in all of it. The ability to share the love of Christ and His Grace is never wasted. So I will continue to share.
Are YOU telling people about The Savior?
