Walking with a limp.

This has been a tragic week for our small, southern town. On the heels of a wonderful weekend, one of our daughter's good friends was killed in a car accident while headed home. We had enjoyed the aftermath of our daughter winning the Jr. Miss contest on Saturday night. Such a wonderful opportunity to share with our family and friends. However, on Sunday night this young life came physically to an end. My daughter called me at work on Monday morning to tell me the terrible news. Being a surgical nurse, I see death, but this news hit me hard. I did not have a good answer to help my daughter with the tragic news. I listened as she told me what she knew. The week has continued to take a toll on the young people hear. When death slaps us on the face with a young life it hits us so hard that we don't feel it at first. Then, as time passes the slap starts stinging, it feels hot, burning, gnawing at us. I can't imagine how Sarah's family is dealing with losing their only child, their daughter. Walking into her room, smelling all those girl smells that start with hair products and end with Bath and Body lotion to spritz sprays. Today will be visitation. The friends of Sarah tie-dyed t-shirts to wear this evening. She always wore tie-dyed stuff. I am sure it will be a beautiful site to see the young people united with the common bond of loving Sarah and being so grief stricken. No, time will not heal this type of pain. It will always be a hurt. Like a deep heel bruise. I jumped off the porch one time and landed on a small rock that sent shock wave throughout my body. For days I could not put full weight on my right heel no matter what shoes I wore. Overtime I became less aware of the bruise...starting to walk easier, less cautious....but on occasion, I would land on something and feel the tenderness deep. These young people will walk with a limp for awhile. Her parents will feel as if they cannot walk because it causes too much pain. And even years from now, something will happen, someone will step on a rock and it will hurt. It will bruise. It will cause one to take a step softly, tenderly....and remember the hurt that made us all limp...walk different...a little slower....shocked at the pain...no matter how long it has been. Our heels are really bruised today, God, we feel like we can't put our feet down because it will hurt too badly. I know it is too soon to start jumping and running...but you promise to carry us when we are too weak to walk...you promise to hold us up when standing makes us faint...you will cradle our hearts when they are bursting with hurt...help us take steps...small, tender, soft, steps today and feel your presense each time we put our hurt heels down on the ground. Help us Lord.