I spoke at a funeral yesterday in memory of Donny Foster...a 20 year old college student at the University of Florida who hung himself in his room just one night before taking his girlfriend to a local concert and just 21 days before Christmas with his family in Miami. No one really knows why he did this...he seemed to be a happy kid and who apparently had more than his share of friends...based upon the turn out at his funeral. I was extremely moved by the gathering.
Here are some things I observed through this experience and I would like to share them with you. First, I was amazed at the amazingly deep love Donny's friends had for him. He certainly had an incredible impact on them. I hope my life has that kind of impact on others around me. Second, I was encouraged by the hopefulness of his family in the midst of such a tragic death. His parents and sister were very optimistic about his eternity and current presence with Jesus. Third, I was burdened heavily with the spiritual emptiness I saw in the people at the funeral. Death is a strange thing...it brings out the true essence of our soul. You can see in an instant the spiritual side of a human being and know what they believe. I saw people, especially young people, who were scared...but too proud to admit it. I would love the chance to impart hope to more people. Hope that gives us the courage to face death at any moment. Hope that allows us the freedom to let go of that which doesn't last. Hope that builds our faith upon a foundation of eternal living.
Thank you Jesus for the opportunity to be apart of this deeply spiritual experience. I was honored to be the messenger on behalf of the family. I pray that the seeds of hope and truth will take root in the souls of those that listened.
3 comments:
I am sorry you had to have the experience, but glad you came away with some good lessons learned. Every year I have taught, I have had a funeral to go to. Only once was it a suicide. Every child left behind a slew of friends and family that loved them. I wish i could understand what made teens think life was not worth living. Thats why I love what God called me to do. It gives me a chance to demonstrate Gods love, and it gives me a chance to let the young people I work with see that Jesus can use anyone from any background to bring Him glory. God bless you, brother, and I love ya.
"Death is a strange thing...it brings out the true essence of our soul. You can see in an instant the spiritual side of a human being and know what they believe."
I like this. This is profound. and true.
Death, or any kind of tragedy is a funny thing. I believe that God allows for us to go through this to remind us THERE IS MORE. There is more... than even... life. And I'm not even referring to after-life. I'm referring to the instant you're reminded that everything you've hoped in or known to be constant... your very breath, your very loved-one, can be taken away in an instant. What do you hope in then? There's gotta be something more.
And you're right. It IS scary. for most.
For some, it's a tragically beautiful reminder.
I'm glad to be part of a community that remembers.
I knew Donny, from middle school and high school. I had heard about his death, but it never registered to me. You're right, he seemed like the happiest most spiritual guy I'd ever met. He always put a smile on my face, and I always felt a light of love from him. That was the essence he gave off.
Today, I googled his name, because I had to know for sure. I stumbled upon your blog and it has finally registered. Thank you for writing this, and yes you never know who's life you'll touch. Donny should be a lesson to us all, not to take life for granted, and to embrace all people, those we adore and even those we may be only slightly acquainted with, because life is so fragile, so uncertain.
I miss him so much, yet I thank God for giving me the opportunity to have met him.
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