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| top A journal of commentary, narrative and poetry about navigating through life February 25, 2004
The Closing Chapter
"Remember me when I am gone away,
Today we received news that closed a chapter on the life of a young man.
This story began over two months ago when our friends in Washington were notified that their son, attending college in New Orleans, had, after participating in Mardi Gras, failed to return to his college dorm
-- and subsequently, his classes in the days following. His disappearance was bewildering; he had a good relationship with his parents, he had a girlfriend with whom he was quite connected. During the months that followed that ominous report, the police searched for the young man
-- without success. Why did he suddenly disappear? The conclusion seemed overwhelmingly to point to violence or a tragic accident. But we all held out hope that he might be found alive.
Today’s news ended that hope. The police called our friends this morning and notified them that their son’s body had been found in a nearby river. I can only imagine the grief that his parents are experiencing. This news was not closure, but merely the knowledge that there was no more hope for their son being found alive; it will take the rest of their lives to work through the pain of this loss.
At times like this we have only one true and unchanging source of hope, God, in whom we continue to find peace and comfort, through Jesus Christ. In the very darkest of times, when crushing sorrow or defeat comes our way He is faithful and true. He is the "... Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our afflictions ..."
(2 Cor. 1:3-4).
This event was a grim reminder of thin the line between life and death. It reminds me once again that our lives are but a vapor and though it is prudent to take reasonable precautions, realistically we can only place our lives and time and agendas in the hands of God. Now, today, is the time to manifest love, patience, kindness, commitment, encouragement
-- and faithfulness toward God. For when the cord is cut from our lives on this side
-- there is no turning back to restore and mend what has gone on before.
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