…MY DEAR YOUNG FRIEND

Every Sunday night, you so faithfully

showed up to the small chapel of a

large Afrikaans church where the Good

News of Jesus Christ was ministered,

in English, to you and your friends.

You came expectant and enthusiastic.

 

Until only hours ago, your whole

adult life lay ahead of you.

A bright, beautiful fountain

bursting with light and laughter.

A ticking time bomb burst— it snuffed

the light out and silenced the laughter.

 

You lived for 15 years, 364 days,

and completed the race of life on

the eve of your sixteenth birthday.

You have lived your young life,

without excuse and without regret.

Your legacy lives on in this poem.

 

Your vibrant voice is silent now,

and your precious place is empty.

On the broken side of eternity,

we are overcome with grief, and

we mourn your sudden passing.

You are on the perfect side now.

 

It was my honour and privilege

to have been your faith teacher.

Truth be told, in your absence,

you are teaching me so much

more than I have ever taught you!

Allow me to enlighten you.

 

It’s been my heart’s desire to create

a safe space where you could

feel the love of Jesus, and find

your own belonging in His church.

But I seriously considered quitting,

because of a feeling of failure and loss.

 

Then I saw you again, on a video—

performing a song with your friends.

It was a surprise gift to me then, but now

I can hear and feel Jesus through you.

Through my tears, in my soul, I see you

safe and secure in the arms of Jesus.

 

I will always remember

your vigor and vitality,

your spunk and sensitivity.

You were both

leader and learner,

tough and tender.

Thabo, my dear young friend, THANK YOU for showing me the Way!  Until we meet again.

“You came from heaven to earth to show the way.

From the earth to the cross, my debt to pay;

from the cross to the grave, from the grave to the sky.

Lord, I lift Your name on high.”