In Memory of David Osborn

It’s been a very difficult couple of weeks, but the house has somewhat settled down to normal now. On Thursday Scott left to go back to Florida after having been home for eight nights. While it was certainly good to have him home, we would have gladly exchanged this current visit for his winter break in December. That means the tragic event of July 25 wouldn’t have occurred. However, life changed for many people that Sunday when one of Scott’s childhood and lifelong friends drowned while tubing in a local river. He was 21 years old.

David’s death has deeply affected me on a number of levels. He was like one of my own, as Scott met him in first grade and he spent much time at our house when the boys were younger. We watched him go from a cute little boy with big eyes and big glasses, to an awkward teen with a mouthful of silver braces and a head full of wavy hair that he plastered down to make straight, to a young man who could charm the ladies and play a mean set of drums. And, in addition to grieving myself, my heart aches to see my son in such grief, knowing that ‘mom can’t make it all better.’ Dealing with the death of someone so young who was one of your best friends is pretty tough, and God will have to graciously bring him through the grieving process. David was his father’s only child, and it greatly pains me for him because I’ve only got one child myself. I feel like this hit too close to home, and I cannot fathom what that dad must be experiencing in the way of loss. And then there are David’s grandparents who raised him. They’re in their eighties, and you most certainly don’t expect to outlive your grandchildren. They are crushed.

Without exaggeration, there were around 500 people in attendance at David’s funeral. The chapel at the funeral home held 300, plus people were standing on either side. Then folks spilled out into the foyer and into another room where they watched the service on video. In my life, I’ve never attended a funeral with so many people. In part, it’s a testament to dying at such a young age, but I think it moreso speaks to the fact that David just knew a ton of people! So many young people… and then of course sprinkled into the crowd were us more mature folk. It was pretty incredible. Many kids got up for ‘open mic’ time where they told funny and heartwarming stories about their good friend; and that was such a comfort to his family. Everyone enjoyed laughing and remembering. I want to just say, too, that I’m very proud of Scott for honoring David and his family by eulogizing David so nicely, and by serving as a pall bearer. That wasn’t an easy task, but he did it with dignity. A special and humble ‘thank-you’ also goes out to our friends, the Hernandez family, for making it possible to get Scott home from Florida. Their kindness and generosity is beyond measure and we’re grateful from the bottom of our hearts.

I’m writing this blog entry with a two-fold purpose. First, my blog serves as my personal journal so I wanted to record my thoughts and feelings as I’ve been doing the last five years. But secondly, I’ve felt heavily burdened the past two weeks for all these kids who lost their friend - especially the three whom I personally know who were with David that day and experienced the horror of it all. Now, even at my seasoned age, I have yet to lose a friend, much less be involved in such a tragic accident. So I don’t pretend to know what thoughts and emotions are swirling around in your heads. But I have done nothing but grieve for you and empathize with you since I heard the news. Truly my heart aches and I’ve been in prayer for you. I was able to talk with one of the young men who was there that day, and I want to share with whoever might stumble upon this entry on Facebook some of what I shared with him. I’m simply going to be straightforward and to the point…

There is but one absolute truth and that is God’s truth. He has revealed Himself – His character and nature – within the pages of His holy word, the Bible, and it was penned by men under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. My prayer is that you might seek God and find Him there. That said I want to share one truth in which we can rest and be assured concerning David.
Found in the Book of Psalms, we read this about human creation by the psalmist who is crying out to God:

For You (God) formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother's womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth. Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them. (chapter 139:13-16)

Let this penetrate your heart. While David’s death was very sudden, shocking and unexpected for us, it was not for God – the very One who knew David, created him and who ordained all the days of his life before he was ever born. I pray that you would see that life and death are authored and ordained by a sovereign God, one who is ruling and reigning over His creation. His thoughts and ways are far higher than we can fathom, but His will is good and right and there is purpose in all He does.

And for those left behind, I pray that you would run to Christ. Jesus tells us in the Book of Matthew, chapter 11: “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (verses 28-30) I know your hearts are heavy and filled with overwhelming sorrow. And perhaps there are many of you who just don’t know what to do with it. I encourage you to search the Scriptures and seek the LORD. We’re not meant to nor equipped to shoulder the heavy burdens of this life, but Christ is.

Dealing with the death of a loved one is gut wrenchingly hard, and I pray that God would be ever so gracious and merciful in tenderly bringing each of you through a difficult season of your lives. I have to be truthful though, and it’s because I have a heart to see that you are not deceived. I read a comment on David’s Facebook page the other day which said something to the effect that David is an angel now, watching over all of you. I realize that this person was trying to offer you comfort, but in doing so, did not convey biblical truth. Please understand that upon their deaths, human beings do not become angels. Angels are separate created beings. Humans, if they know the LORD, go into the presence of God to worship Him forever. My understanding is that David knew the LORD and if he indeed experienced conversion, you can be assured he is with Christ, worshipping Him, in a ‘glorified’ (new) body.

Very simply - Christ died to save sinners, of which every one of us is one. The Bible tells us that we are enemies of a just, holy and righteous God, and as such, we cannot live in His presence. We cannot save ourselves. We cannot be ‘good enough’ before God to earn our way into heaven. Not by good works, not by walking an aisle at church, not by “asking Jesus into our hearts,” nor by any number of other human endeavors such as the unbiblical repeating of a so-called “sinner’s prayer.” In fact, God’s word tells us that any ‘good works’ we think we could present to God are nothing more than filthy rags before Him. But God, being rich in mercy and love, sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on a cross – to be a substitute for sinners. Jesus, perfect and sinless, took upon Himself the wrath of God – meant for us - to pay the penalty for our sin. If God is stirring your heart, if you are being awakened to the realization that you are a sinner - that you are incapable of meeting the perfect standards and commands set forth by a HOLY God, I urge you to get into the Word of God. If you have a Bible, read in the Book of Romans, read the Gospel of John, the Book of Ephesians. The Bible tells us that we must come to faith in Christ by repenting of sin and calling upon the Name of the LORD, trusting in His finished work on the cross for salvation. “For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, so that no man may boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

I could go on, but I at least wanted to put forth some basic truth. If anyone out there is interested in asking questions or discussing this further, please feel free to contact me via Facebook.

May God bless you and make Himself known to you. May He be merciful to heal your broken hearts and see you through this difficult time of mourning the loss of our sweet David.

Yours in grace,