"What do you say in a moment like this
When you can't find the words to tell it like it is
Just close your eyes and let your heart lead the way
Oh what do you say"

What do I say? What is there to say to one of my best friends who just lost the greatest influence in his life? What do I say to Paul after his father just died? He Daddy, Pops, Dad...hit by a car. What do you say to a 19 year old boy who just came back to Houston from Notre Dame for the summer with such great expectations...only to find the next day that his father is no longer there.

What to I say? To express the anger I feel toward the driver of that car? How can you not see a man on a bicycle in daylight? Why was that person even driving fast enough to kill someone...on a neighborhood road? Does this person know how many tears have been cried and how many hearts have broken?

What do I say? To my best friend who dated this young boy for a year? Who knew his parents so well that she loved hanging out with them and would actually VOLUNTEER to eat with them and go to movies with them. How to I heal the hurt in her heart? The quiver in her voice? The tears that I cannot seem to stop? How do I know how to be the best friend that she needs right now?

What do I say? To God...wasent the fact that this family already lost a child to suicide enough? Now they lost a father too? I trust your plan, Oh Lord, but sometimes it is hard to see through the pain and sorrow. Sometimes I falter at your throne...but I NEED you to hold me and to tell me that the people most affected will someday stand on their own two feet again.

What do I say? To those who use this as a situation against my faith? Father God, be with me and give me words to express that through the hurt we feel in this, one of our darkest hours, that God is all we can rely on to give us strength. Give me words to stand strong and fasts in your love for me.

What do I say? To my parents who are my rocks. How can I express to them how much they really do mean to me? How much my heart will break when they are gone.

What do I say? To myself, my strongest enemy at times like this? As I turn to doubt you, Dear Lord, please bear with me and know I still put my trust in you. Allow time for grieving and for pain, but please, I trust in You to take it all away.

Heavenly Father...please pray for the Schlueter family in their time of need right now. As you know, Mr Schlueter was struck by a car as he was riding his bicycle in the neighborhood today. Pray for Andrea and Paul and the hurt they are feeling right now. Pray for Mrs Schlueter and that she gives herself the necessary grieving time before trying tomake arrangements. Please help this family to lean on eachother in the coming days, weeks, months. And let them know that there is a youth group waiting to wrap our arms around them and show them our love. Also, be with the parts of the youth group that was closes to the Schlueter family adjust to this major change in emotions...
In You Sons Name
Amen

Sarah,

I ran across your blog this morning, and my heart breaks for all of you and for the family that lost their dad. Just be there. When my dad died from a sudden heart attack over a year ago, I thought I wouldn't breathe for a while. I didn't get to say goodbye or tell him what a great dad he'd been. It felt unreal to say the elast. If I hadn't had two of my best friends holding me up at the visitation, bringing me tissues and water and breath mints, helping me type the funeral program, basically guiding me through those whole few days, I don't know if I would have made it. Just be there. Offer to do things you know they aren't thinking of that need to be done. Or just keep checking in on them. Pray and share Kleenex. God hears your prayers, their prayers. They don't need to hear you say time will make it better, but you can know it will. Prayers from Arkansas.