Devotion - Wednesday, October 22

Death should never be a part of the college experience, but it tragically is.  We have had four student deaths this year; the memorial service for Virginia (who died of an infection the week after she moved to Clemson for her freshman year) is this afternoon.

We have also been shocked this week with the sudden and unexpected deaths of an active student's father (Gina), and the father of one of our beloved alumni (Brian).  Both men in the middle years of their life, both full of life, and activity up to the day of their deaths.

Death should not be one of the memories we carry away from college.  But it tragically is.

I witnessed the devastation of death's entry to your precious lives.  Last evening, I drove the church van to the visitation for Gina's father.  Among the van-load, there were some who had never been to a visitation before.  They were nervous, and anxious, and asking "What do I say?"  Another asked, "Is there going to be an open casket?  I remember the death of a high school friend and no one warned me there would be an open casket."  All were assured they didn't need to worry about what to say.  In fact, they need not say anything.  "Just be present."

Then it happened. We made our way through a very long line to Gina.  And the tears flowed and the hugs lingered and the burden of death having entered our lives was shared and made somewhat lighter.

There is no balm capable of taking away the pain of death.  There is the solace of having others who will enter into that painful place with us and help us to lift the weight.  This, too, is a miracle.  That another would set aside their own happiness in order to share the heartbreak of another.  

Death should not enter your world.  But it will.  When it does, look for those willing and ready to aid you in bearing up under the burden of a life disrupted but never without the promise of God.