Friday, I attended the funeral of James Moore, an 11 year old sixth grader who was riding his bike to school and was accidentally struck by a truck then passed away shortly after. I didn’t have the pleasure of knowing this boy closely but he and his family are a part of my home church family. Going to his memorial was both saddening and sobering. My heart breaks for those who knew him: parents, teachers, friend, small group leader that are left behind to try to keep moving forward with out him.
It is impossible to make sense of WHY something like this would happen, to a young child who had his entire life in front of him. The only comfort I can take is in knowing that this little boy loved Jesus, followed him and is now with him in heaven. A young girl at the funeral told me a funny story about James. One day during worship in the UNDERGROUND youth facilities, he had gotten up and started dancing to the music, really dancing...he grabbed her and another friend and together they danced, arms in the air, around everyone as they sang and let loose praising God. How beautiful to think that he is dancing up in heaven right now.
His mother was brave enough to actually read something she had written about her little boy. She told a story of sitting on his bed after the accident and just soaking up the things that belonged to her son; his artwork, toys, clothes, games, and the everyday stuff of his life strewn all over his messy room. She noticed the shirt that she had asked him to put into the laundry three times still sitting on his floor. It seemed so inconsequential now.
No one expects tragedy to strike them, no one. You never know when your time is up. I hope you make it count.
