Walk Through the Valley

Today Bluffton University has a memorial service planned for 7:30 pm. at Founders Hall. This is for the Bluffton University baseball players who were killed as a result of a bus crash in Atlanta on March 2nd. It will be a painful and gut wrenching expeience for many in the BU community. Over three thousand people are expected to attend. It's in times like these that Psalm 23 is often recited. I especially take note of the phrase, "though I walk through the valley..." People walk at different paces. Pat and I walk pretty fast. We've walked with others who are slower and we need to go at their pace. That's how it is when we walk through that valley caused by the death of a loved one. People walk or grieve at different paces. Some will walk through this valley faster that others. Some will go at a snail's pace. But what's important is that we all eventually walk (a verb which requires action)though the valley. It doesn't do us any good to pitch a tent in the valley of death. We can't stay there. Yes, grieve at your own pace, but walk. Eventually baseball lockers will need to be cleared, seats reassigned in classrooms, and other baseball players playing in former teammates positions. It won't be easy, but by Jesus love and comfort, we'll walk through this deep valley. These are the days my friend.
Jim "Train"