Too Young to Die

This weekend a 17-year old in our community was killed in a single car crash.  She was a student at the high school my daughter attended.  Over the years the school has had too many student fatalities.

Three weeks ago a 15-year old boy in our community was killed in a domestic violence murder that also claimed the life of his mother.

Both of these kids were too young to die.  Between them there were too many unfulfilled dreams, aspirations, hopes, plans, rehearsals, practices, dances, events, games, celebrations and joys to experience.  They didn't get to experience senior finals, prom, those classic senior pranks and college admission applications.  Their deaths remind us that life is definitely not fair and it's often tragic.  My life is half over and it's been a full one, but theirs was just getting started.  My heart breaks for their families, friends and the classmates left behind.

It's too soon to offer any lessons we can learn from these tragedies.  The mourning hasn't concluded and cheesy, or cliche' responses do more damage than good.  People are numb, shocked and hurting.  The best thing we can do is cry with them.  Hold them.  Wipe their tears.  Listen to their pain.  Sit with them and pray.

Time is what's needed.  Time to process with the help of professionals and loved ones. Time to sift through the ashes and search for whatever can be gleaned from losing a child, a sibling or a classmate.  Time to grieve and time to reflect.  Time to let God's healing work take its course.  Time to let God fill an empty and aching heart.  In the months to come (after the memorials and funerals) may God's comfort drench these families and loved ones so they know they are not alone in their grief.

Romans 8:26-27 is my prayer for these families.