Footprints (Pawprints, really)

You may have run across the poem, "Footprints in the Sand," which describes Jesus' faithful support and "favor" toward each one of us. This isn't about that.

This post is about something that has been on my mind a lot over the past week.

When our plane from Miami landed in Chicago last Tuesday, on the final leg of our journey back from a week in the Dominican Republic, my phone chirped as soon as I turned it on. I had a message from someone whose number I did not recognize.

The voicemail was from the Bremen Police Department, asking if I could give them a call back. I did--immediately. The officer who answered told me there had been an accidental shooting involving a high school student. Not good news.

The officer could not, offer any additional information because I was not able to be "on site" anytime soon, nor did I ask him to. It's way too easy for the rumor mill to crank up.

Sad to say, but a student was killed in an accidental shooting that took place in a house only a few hundred yards from our house.

I was in the school the next morning, praying for teachers and students as they faced another tragic accident and death to a Bremen student. I spoke with many students and even had the chance to speak and pray at an assembly attended by the entire student body and faculty.

The entire event dredged up memories of past accidents, which have been far too frequent for a stretch of time that is much too long.

But ... here's what's been on my mind--an image really--the image that is burned into my mind and I cannot shake it.

When Chad Beeson was killed (one of the Three Cs), I presided over his funeral. A sad time. A sad day. But the power of God was in the air.

I rode in the hearse that held Chad's body as we made our way from the church (Community Gospel) to the Police Station (where the "final call" was broadcast) and finally to the cemetery. It was a front row seat to some powerful events.

We rode along the south side of the school block on our way to the Police Station. As you may know, that side of the block has paw prints painted on the road, Bremen Lions paws, that have the numbers of the players on the football team painted on them, as well as the names of the coaches and managers.

Chad, Corey and Casey were all killed in an automobile accident while on the way back to Bremen after a football sectional playoff game. They kept stats for the coaches and team. Every week. Home and away.

When the hearse turned the corner from Bowen Avenue onto Grant Street there, standing on the paw print that had their number, were members of the Bremen football team, standing silently in honor of Chad, giving thanks in their own way for all of his dedication and devotion to them and to the football program.

That's the image that won't let me go--those young men standing in honor of Chad and his memory.

Like silent sentinels, they stood. An awesome thing to see and experience.

I can imagine the thoughts and feelings of those who rode in the funeral procession that day. The power of a silent witness. A thanks spoken without words, just a presence.

In the wake of Justin Fretz's recent death, as well as the deaths of other Bremen students, and the deaths that Jan and I have faced in our immediate families this past year, it is comforting to know that the Lord does not ever miss attending to our grief with His love and presence.

I drive by those paw prints every Monday through Friday. Recently, I am reminded of God's steadfast love, standing sentinel over my life and the life of every person. I see Jesus.

And then I go workout. Humble. Thankful.

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, [13] for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.--Philippians 2:12-13 (NIV)

Here's that team ...