in memoriam

Yesterday's services were an amazing celebration of Jesus Christ and Dustyn's life. From the older pastor who guided the service in a comforting way to my musings of being Dustyn's old youth pastor... from the proud humility of his grandmother to the emotional release of his mother's applause... to the love shared by his girlfriend of five months to the stories spoken about after the services... it was a solid day of dignity for the Savior and the saved.

Just so you don't get a perfected idea of things, though, I might add this thought. This kid was tempted with the same things you and I are... sometimes he gave in, just like you and I sometimes do. Yet the direction of his life was unmistakably clear - Jesus Christ had been his Lord and Savior and now he is bearing the blessing of that choice. As his mom put it, we applaud for kids all the time when they win awards in school. Seeing as that Dustyn reached his most important goal - seeing His Savior in heaven - just like he did every other goal, maybe we should just give him a round of applause.

Maybe we should for others who have done the same.

By the way... this is the shirt they buried his old body in. Wild, eh?

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12)