Jesus wept.
John 11:35

Dear God, sometimes this is the only verse that makes any sense. A friend tragically lost his son this past Sunday and I found out about it last night. When I asked myself what kind of Bible verse would speak to his situation, this is what came to me. There are no words. There is no making sense of it on this side of heaven. Sometimes it’s just a tragic situation and Jesus, you, and the Holy Spirit just weep with us.

Then I thought of this poetic part of the musical Hamilton after they have lost their son. The song is “It’s Quiet Uptown.” Here is the first verse:

There are moments that the words don’t reach
There is suffering too terrible to name
You hold your child as tight as you can
And push away the unimaginable
The moments when you’re in so deep
It feels easier to just swim down

Poetry is amazing at communicating so much emotion and meaning in so few words. And now I’m trying to figure out how to be there for this friend. I don’t think he is a believer, but I’m not sure because it’s actually been well over 10 years since we talked. I don’t want to come in with stupid, empty spiritual jargon. I most especially don’t want to cause any harm. I just want to love and comfort and help him to keep from “just [swimming] down.”

Father, guide me moment to moment in this situation. Comfort my friend. And please make this pain count. Make it count for the murder and his family. Make it count for the victim and his family. Make it count for his classmates, his community, and even our world. Do not let this pain be in vain. Please make it count.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen