There is evidence that today is different. Young men walking down Magnolia in suits towards the colisieum. Students, in mass groups or alone, all walking the same direction. The rustle while at the grocery store of two women speaking of the church in Nebraska here to protest, make known that a college student is now rightfully in hell for the sin of going to college. The police still 4 days later checking me in an out of my neighborhood to quiet the anxieties of many. While driving past the police station a woman standing outside with a van reporting the story that's caused unease and upheaval in the quiet college town. And somehow I've read, listened, talked, and watched it all without an emotion surfacing- succeeding at keeping it all at an arms length.
Then I was driving to get my oil changed on College as "Try A Little Tenderness" came on by Otis Redding and out of the blue there were my tears quick to follow. AS this song enters my soul, images of my dad and I dancing at my future wedding stir in my mind. I connected with HIS brokeness for this girl's heart, her short life and the tragic ending.
Her and her dad will never have another dance together. She isn't driving down College Street with the windows down, music blaring, breathing in the Spirit of God in the day. And to her parents, siblings, and friends the air isn't the same and refreshing as it used to be.
There is heartbreak in this story but there is also hope and conviction. Conviction to love well and dig deeply with those surrounding me. To pursue past the rejection sometimes. To show grace when I don't think it's in me. And to praise HIM for the creations that surround me that reinforce His glory and creativity, His love everyday that I interact with them. To persevere and be thankful for the unity and hope that surrounds the campus in these days post the tragedy.