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“Healing from the Tragedy at 'Virginia Tech'"

Like September 11, many will remember where we were on April 16, 2007. I live within seventy-five miles of Blacksburg. Grandparents of one wounded student attend our church. Many of our youth attend Virginia Tech and several students were close friends of one or more of the victims. Our police officers frequently work alongside those involved. So for me and our church this tragedy was personal.

Recently I drove to Virginia Tech to have lunch with students who attend our church and find out how they were coping. Arriving early, I parked the car near one of the dormitories and walked across campus. Police and a few reporters were still around but much is now as it was with students hurrying to class, tossing a Frisbee or just hanging out… until you come to the drill field.

Usually buzzing with activity, the field is quiet. Just in front of the main administration building has been unofficially designated as the place to gather. Stones, each marked with a name are spread in a semi-circle. Surrounding each stone is a display of flowers, gifts, candles, balloons and notes from loved ones. In the center lies another mass of flowers and gifts, symbols offering tokens of love.

It was like we were on sacred ground. Some talked but most stood quietly with heads partially bowed possibly looking at memorials but often as not in deep thought or prayer. As you looked up and to the right only the length of one football field away was Norris Hall. Now surrounded by fences and guarded by police, Norris Hall was just close enough to remind us of the horror.

"Live the Light!

Five Weeks to a Life that Shines!"

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Will the tragedy of April 16th forever scar this campus? In addition to checking on students, I hoped to find answers. Will Virginia Tech now be remembered in the same group alongside Kent State and Marshall University? Will the Hokie nation so many of us call home ever recover? Yes, yes and yes!

I recently read a story about a cluster of trees planted to fence in a pasture. Each tree had barbed wire hammered into the bark. Years later, if you examined the trees you could plainly see some were severely disfigured by the intrusion of the wire. But other trees recovered beautifully. They grew around the barbed wire and grew tall and full. Why? I don’t know and the story never explained.

But, I found in the story answers toward finding comfort and healing from tragedy, whether at Virginia Tech, in your community or within your family. Like barbed wire trauma can be intense and long lasting but what happens next often determines how well we recover. Will we be forever scarred or is there a way absorb the pain and continue our growth, stronger and wiser for the experience?

Paul wrote: “We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed and broken. We are perplexed but we don’t give up and quit. We are hunted down but God never abandons us. We get knocked down but we get up again and keep going.” (2 Cor. 4:8-9) Do you see what God promises in the midst of tragedy? We are pressed from every side but not crushed. We are perplexed but we never give up. We are hunted down but never abandoned. We are knocked down but we get up again.

The students I visited visibly displayed this attitude. They grieved but refused to quit. They were troubled but trusted in Gods presence. They deeply appreciated the love and support received from friends and family and from their church. Most students found solace and comfort from connections at home. But they also talked of a desire to return to Virginia Tech: The community that didn’t have to ask questions because they were there and deeply understood and shared their grief.

At home they received help in telling their story and receiving love and support. On campus they received the understanding of friends and fellow sufferers. Both provided comfort and healing.

Before saying good bye, we strolled through Squires Student Center and viewed hundreds of posters and banners offering love and prayers from schools and groups around the world. After seeing students, observing the campus, witnessing the outpouring of love and support, I knew Virginia Tech would continue to struggle but we will thrive. Just as the trees responded when hammered by barbed wire, we will grow through the pain and continue our growth, stronger and wiser for the experience.

Would you like to help?

While on the campus of Virginia Tech, I talked to officials at the campus book store. I was looking to find something we could do for the students. Something to give them that could help them find answers in the midst of this tragedy. We came up with an idea.

Sowing Seeds Ministry and our church donated 1000 copies of the book: "Live the LIGHT: Five Weeks to a Life that Shines." The response has been enthusiastic. Right now books are being given away at three outlets. Each book contains a letter explaining why we are giving the book away, expressing our sorrow and offering our prayers.

We know at a time like this, students will be more likely to pick up a book about dealing with tragedy and answering questions about God. Because the book has lively stories and an easy to read format the students are enjoying the daily devotions. We hope and pray that "Live the LIGHT" will help them during this difficult time.

Here is the catch: There are over 26,000 students on the Tech campus alone. With your support we will send more books. Because there are no employees in this part of our organization, costs only go toward printing books so your gift will stretch far. At this point every contribution of $50 provides for at least 10 books. So, if you want to help, mail a check to:

Timberlake United Methodist Church

Attn: Virginia Tech Books

21649 Timberlake Rd.

Lynchburg, VA 24502

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Last modified May 2, 2007.

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