“A Christian represents the One who sends him." ~ Acts
11:26
Familiar faces walked, even limped
into church: NFL superstars who spent their day off to be with their former coach.
The death of a loved one is never easy. But, death of a child by suicide makes the
process of grieving especially challenging.
The coach’s son had hung himself from a bedroom ceiling fan with a
leather belt; an act both violent and unexpected.
For situations like these, suicide survivors continually replay
their last encounter in an effort to understand. He’d regret not giving his boy a hug when
he’d left the house for the last time.
There’s a powerful stigma
attached to mental illness (a factor in most suicides). Some religions condemn the act as a sin, so parents
may justifiably keep the suicide a secret from outsiders, children, or relatives
to avoid shame.
After a homicide, survivors can direct their anger at the
perpetrator. In a suicide, the victim is
the perpetrator, so there is a bewildering clash of emotions. On one hand, a person who dies may appear to
be a victim of intolerable circumstances. On the other hand, the act may seem like an
assault on, or rejection of, those left behind.
“I know that’s a strange-sounding message,” he continued, “but
when you came in today, one of the first songs you heard was, ’I Will Bless the
Lord at All Times.”
“The words come from Psalm 34,
which David wrote while fleeing for his life from King Saul. Even so, he was able to say that he would continually
praise God and bless Him.”
“I’ve always believed my Christian values were more important
than anything. And when we lost our son,
I wondered if I were just saying this, or truly believe it?”
“Today, I trust God more than ever!”
Dungy took the tragedy of his son’s death as an opportunity
to prove his faith was genuine; just as quick to praise Christ during the good
times - like when his Colts won the Super Bowl - as the bad times when losing
his son.
He won convincingly in a very rough sport, but did so
without raising his voice, without profanity or intimidation. The players he treated with dignity and
respect became champions.
His purpose in life is simply to glorify God. He uses his influence for faith-based causes;
avoiding commercial endorsements to keep a focus on his family message. He and his wife Lauren have quietly adopted
children to blend with their birth children. Tony Dungy is a role model we need but too few
prefer.
Father God, men who dunk, throw, or hit a
ball for a living routinely become role models.
But, too many of them have let us down.
Thank you for men like Tony Dungy who embrace their celebrity status
with the Godly poise of a gentleman. Amen
