National news feeds picked up a story out of Alexandria, Alabama that is devastating. ABC 33/40 out of Birmingham, just an hour SW of Alexandria, reported on Saturday, June 27 the following story.
“16-year-old Jeremy “Ryan” Lambert, two-time state wrestling champion and student at Alexandria High School, was killed in a single-car crash on Friday, June 26.
“The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) said in a statement that Lambert wasn’t wearing his seatbelt when his 2007 Jeep Cherokee crashed in Calhoun County. He was thrown from the car and taken to the hospital, where he died.
“Heavy hearts as we mourn this tremendous loss,” said Frank Hartzog, Lambert’s former wrestling coach. “I hoped it was all a bad dream but our wrestling family lost a teammate and friend far too soon. We are praying for his family and everyone who knew and loved him. You will be missed, but never forgotten.”1
Funeral services for Jeremy were held July 2 at the Mt. Zion Baptist Church. Officiating the service was Rev. Byron Duke and Rev. Andy Lambert, area Church of God pastors. My guess is that the Baptist church had a larger facility to hold the crowds.
Tragedy and sorrow seldom alert us that they are coming. Instead, they barge into our lives like uninvited guests. In an instant, they monopolize the atmosphere of the room, sucking out the air and replacing it with the foul stench of death. Hope, dreams, and plans shatter on the floor like broken glass, leaving shards that can never be put back together again.
Parents and families reel from the loss. Jeremy’s accident occurred at 10:00 p.m. Probably within 30 minutes, law enforcement was knocking at the Lambert’s door, telling them their son was dead. The obituary says that Jeremy had a girlfriend. Adults struggle to deal with such news. Imagine a teenaged girlfriend being given the news.
As I read the story, my heart broke for this family. Unfortunately, these events happen daily. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), six to eight teens die every day in car accidents.2 I think of some of the really stupid things I did at that age behind the wheel and it could have been my parents getting the notification from law enforcement.
When we see others going through these kinds of losses, we want to do something to help. Often, those who are suffering want the pain to stop. The Bible Repository makes a powerful observation, though, concerning the healing process. “Healing from tragedy can be a long and often difficult process. Many of us wish for a quick fix or an easy path to recovery, but God’s love teaches us that healing is a journey, one filled with ups and downs. We can take comfort knowing that prayer, community support, and a deepened relationship with God are powerful tools on our healing journey. Just as physical wounds take time to mend, emotional wounds require the same tenderness and patience. We must allow ourselves the freedom to grieve and heal at our own pace while leaning on God’s strength and guidance through each step.”3
The Psalmist gives this familiar verse in Psalms 30:5. “For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Wouldn’t it be great if the morning and evening of this sorrow only lasted 24 hours? In fact, it could be less if you figure a night lasting 12 hours.
It doesn’t work like that, does it?
The “night” could be a dark season filled with many restless, sleepless, tearful nights followed by days of misery and exhaustion. The emotions can lead to faulty conclusions and actions. Instead of reacting, we need to trust God and allow the night to run its course. Eventually, joy will return if we allow God the time to provide healing.
As we sit with those who are grieving, may we graciously and patiently practice Romans 12:15. “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.”
1https://abc3340.com/news/local/heavy-hearts-as-we-mourn-16-year-old-wrestler-tragically-passes
2https://www.autoinsurance.com/research/teen-driver-crash-statistics/
3https://biblerepository.com/bible-verses-about-tragedy-and-hope/
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