Horrible News

I have to say how much i appreciate the general spirit and attitude of those commenting on the recent tragedy! i can imagine family and friends being directed in some way to this reputable sight and discover compassion, concern, and admitted consternation over the unbelievable ordeal. i now sincerely add prayers, sympathy, thoughts to all, and i mean all who are closely affected by this. We can all be consoled to know there is Someone who cares and will bring good out of evil!

 

To add a couple more cents worth...

Just because you attend a Christian college doesn't mean you are a Christian. I am not claiming to know anything about either of these two students, but plenty of people follow the motions of "religion" their entire life and do not grasp the true meaning of what it really is to be a Christian.

Bottom line is this is a sad event anywhere.

 

Ouch?
Braves, my comment was not directed towards your earlier comments, only to the one I quoted. I just feel, as you do, that it's a sad situation for a lot of different people and shouldn't be used to generalize about anything or anyone else. I thought a certain comment was taking away from magnitude of the tragedy that occurred. Obviously your comment about irony did not do that. It could be called ironic. It definitely could be called sad.

 

Caroliner- I would have understood if it was directed towards me. Sometimes the printed word does not convey one's intention and based on SY's comment, it certainly wasn't where I was wanting to go.

It certainly was a horrific tragedy and as Hapi2bme eloquently stated...it hits close to home.

They had Grant's funeral services Saturday...may he rest in peace and give strength to his family.

 

A couple of thoughts...

I took the opportunity to go to Grant's funeral in Apex, what a tribute to his life as a young man. There were probably 6-700 people in attendance that I could tell. The Charleston Southern and Middle Creek Baseball Teams were there, each wearing their jerseys, and acting as pallbearers. I had the opportunity to briefly speak to Grant's parents, they had to feel the presence of God, because I would have been all to pieces. Grant was buried in his high school jersey and hat, and Middle Creek has retired his number as a tribute to the first D-1 baseball signee and player in the short history of that school. All I can say is that he was a young man that was truely loved, by family and friends and was respected by many, including myself as a young man. My biggest memory of Grant this summer was at Wofford in a tournament that was a tune-up for the trip to East Cobb. Grant started the first game, but definitely was not on his game, I had to break out the hook in the second inning. He was very upset at being pulled, but I told him he was getting the ball again the next day. (I felt we would see the real Grant then, and didn't want to waste pitches) The next day, we played a team from Pennsylvania, adn he came out and mowed them down for 3 innings. He looked more relaxed and confident this second day. I was impressed with his composure, and his willingness and desire to win, at the same time he pulled for the team, though he didn't know many well yet.

I just hope that the young men who read TBR (or anybody for that matter) will look at this unfortunate chain of events that has in our own eyes and minds ruined the lives of 2 families. But there's more to this that what we see as "ruin". I believe God has a plan for the lives that has been affected by Grant's life, and the tragedy. I firmly believe that there are reasons for everything, these reasons will be revealed in God's time. Again I see that there are more important things in life than a game I love alot. There are the relationships developed, not with my own players at Person, but the relationships I have developed with players from all over the state, and their parents. We as coaches are not just in the business of X's and O's, we are in the business of building men and relationships, which in the end will be more important than any state championship won by any team in this state.

It is my prayer that we will appreciate the relationships and gain a greater respect for this great game we discuss and love. It is also my prayer that we will strive to honor each relationship developed, we never know when God will decide to take us home.

 

AMEN Coach Evans

Amen Coach Evans............As a parent I don't ever want to know the pain of losing a child.............hug your children and tell them and let them know you LOVE them!! Sounds as if this young man Grant was loved by many..........Prayers and God's peace on all affected by this tragedy.......Thanks Coach for sharing your thoughts....

 

Grand slam, Coach. Thanks for the perspective. Class act going to the service too.

 

Thanks coach! I remember reading a quote from the old testament which says,

"Precious in the sight of God are the death of His saints."

I know this is hard to understand, but I take this to mean that God is at a great loss when one of his children are called home!
God's peace to you and all who are suffering.......

 

whbb, that verse is from Psalm 116...one of the greatest chapters in the Bible. David wrote this chapter (most believe) after he lost a child. He was so distraught that his loved ones thought David would die from grief.

But instead David suddenly did a U-Turn & found renewed strength from God...& he expressed his inner thoughts in Psalm 116. Notice David's pain in verse 3...& then where he found relief in verse 4.

My favorite visual is in verse 9 where David says that for us Believers, walking through a graveyard is really walking through 'the land of the living.' You talk about comfort on a day like this...This is the only reason that Grant's family was able to make it through the service.

1 I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. 2 Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.

3 The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow. 4 Then I called on the name of the LORD : "O LORD, save me!"

5 The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. 6 The LORD protects the simplehearted; when I was in great need, he saved me.

7 Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you. 8 For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, 9 that I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living.

12 How can I repay the LORD for all his goodness to me? 13 I will lift up the cup of salvation and call on the name of the LORD. 14 I will fulfill my vows to the LORD in the presence of all his people.

15 Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.

 

Coach, wonderful post....I can't think of much more that can be said. Let's keep both families in our prayers.