Those of you who know me know that I graduated from Taylor University. TU has been in the news of late due to an unfortunate (understatement of the year) series of circumstances. In April, a 15 passenger van owned by TU was driving back from Ft. Wayne carrying a number of catering staff members. About 10 minutes from campus, an 18 wheeler jumped the median and plowed through the van, killing 4 students, 1 staff member, and injuring others, including putting one student in a semi-comatose state for about 5 weeks. This week, she woke up.
The semi-comatose student was thought to be Laura Vanryn. During her less responsive days, the other families, including the family of Whitney Cerak, buried their siblings, son, and daughters. During that time, the deceased students were eulogized, memorialized, given posthumous degrees, memorial scholarships were set in place, and (since I'm an attorney) probate proceedings were likely begun. But, this week, it became apparent that things were not what they seemed.
The person thought be Laura Vanryn became more conversant and, in the process, started calling people by the wrong nickname and saying things that the family did not understand. Cautiously, the therapist asked her if she knew her name. "Whitney Cerak" she replied. Stunned, the family and the therapist asked her to write her name: "Whitney Cerak," she scribbled. The joy at the knowledge that their daughter had survived a horrific accident was turned to utter dismay at the realization that another family had buried their daughter, another family had eulogized the wrong memory, and they had expended their love and affection upon the wrong woman.
But, here's what has been so striking to me: the Vanryn family has exhibited nothing but joy and grace. Their comments have been filled with the love and understanding that only comes from God. In a word, they have demonstrated hope.
"But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope." I Thess. 4:13.
During this time, the Vanryn family has faithfully kept a blog about, who we now know to be, Whitney. Please visit it at http://lauravanryn.blogspot.com. One of the over 1,000 comments left on that blog after the announcement of the mistaken identity was a from a person in Australia who said (in paraphrase), "I wish I had what you had. I know it must be your faith, but I do not have the hope that you have. I want to have it." What that person from Australia seeks, Titus saw fit to explain to us in Titus 2:13, "...waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ..."
Our lives, our work, our play is all subject to that one thing: hope. Minutes from now you, your friend, or loved one may be taken from you, do you have hope? The circumstances involving the Cerak and Vanryn families is tragic, horid, unspeakably painful. But for both, it is overwhelmingly joyful. For the Ceraks, their daughter, whom they thought dead, is alive and will be able to spend more hours here on earth with her. For the Vanryns, their daughter is dead, but alive in Christ. As they said on their blog, "For us, we will mourn Laura's going home and will greatly miss her compassionate heart and sweetness while knowing that she is safe and with her King forever. " Their hope, which instills them with joy, is the knowledge that someday they will meet their daughter again and spend eternity praising their King together.
It's been a painful time for TU students and alumni. But, truly, solo deo gloria - only for the glory of God!
No comments:
Post a Comment