United Again

My heart can't seem to get un-heavy.  We are not off to a great school year.  I am sensing a eerie trend and I don't like it. 

Last Wed I was at the funeral of a 10 year old and this Wed I was at the funeral of a 10th grade student.  Both of the funerals were at the same church.  This ceremony was much different than the last though.  There wasn't a single song sung this time.  

This young man tragically decided to end his life on Friday.  Both my oldest had just seen and talked to him the day before at school,  and they both commented that "he seemed happy."  On the way home Jared said he couldn't comprehend that it was N's body in the closed casket.  Emma was sad that there were so many people at the funeral (there were hundreds of people there and the walls were lined with people that had to stand) yet he felt so alone.

He was very into scouting and had earned his life rank, he was so proud of this accomplishment that he took his class picture in his uniform.  The funeral started with the color guard and the posting of the colors.  It was quite moving especially when the scouts wheeled the casket out to the hearse.  There were 3 speakers from his scout troop and his sunday school teacher, his piano teacher and the principle of the school.    

When the Pastor concluded the ceremony I couldn't help but find myself again thinking about the things we have in common.  I really liked this paster and I couldn't help but think we would make great friends.  He spoke of the Father of all lies that is out to destroy us.  How N was talked into a horrible decision by this lier.  He talked about putting our armor on to have strength and protection for this war we are in against evil.  He spoke of weeping with those who weep and how to do that.  He counseled in a very specific way what that does and does not look like.  

Of course there were areas that we don't agree on but there is so much to build on that can't be overlooked.  Even the faith without works that was brought up today can be bridged.  There is just a miscommunication on what that means.  We wouldn't be agreeing on the putting on of armor if there wasn't work involved.   There wouldn't be talk of committing yourself to the Jesus if there wasn't work involved.  

This specific church that we were at today is known for it's anti-mormon teachings.  I have had some of my worst encounters with people from this church.  I had to actually look in the mirror before I went last week to make sure there wasn't a tattoo on my forehead that said "Mormon" just incase there was something about me that was a dead giveaway and I was kicked out or someone decided to try and save me.  Obviously, I went 2x in 1 week so I wasn't that worried...but it did give me pause. 

It worked out in such a way that because we were sitting in the back of the church we were almost the first ones out, so avoiding the family was not going to happen.  This put a little fear and panic into my kids because they did not want me to approach the Mother.  I told them that it was going to be ok and that his Mom needed to know that her precious son's friends were there.  Mourning with those who mourn also means facing them.   

We are fighting a war against evil.  It is taking over every aspect of our lives, our country our families and our homes.  It will take all of us to win this battle and we have to figure out how to do it together. 

We can do this.  We can build this bridge....it's not a bridge to nowhere....I promise ;)