Yesterday the office was all a buzz with rumors.
I work on the 46th floor of a building in the Loop of downtown Chicago. My side of the building overlooks Lake Michigan, but other sides of the floor overlook all directions of this beautiful city.
Yesterday, one bright sunny morning, a tragedy occurred.
It was business as usual. I was just having a client sign some paperwork when a colleague broke the news that someone had jumped off the Lyric Opera building. The client said (all too matter-of-factly) that someone had jumped last week from the Marina Towers, almost as if to say, "So, what else is new?".
My first response was shock - then gave way to grief - I was so deeply saddened.
I was astounded by different people's reactions. So much curiosity. Running to the other side of our floor to look out and see the body. I remained on my side of the building, surprised that for an instant I was curious to look. Some even rushed down to ground level to "get a better look". Is it judgmental to say that I was somewhat sickened by this eager response to get a look at this, no doubt, grotesque scene of carnage?
I know that people respond differently to pain and grief and tragedy (like dumping popcorn on the floor at a movie theater - but that's another story...!). But, I could not help but feel that these people were getting charged, even excited, over something so tragic.
It was a 19 year old girl who jumped. Some of the women who have grown children responded by grieving for the parents and families.
"Your baby is finally all grown, and then she ends it? How do you tell a mother that?"
What is there to say? A life lost - taken. I wonder how many of her loved ones had a clue that she was contemplating this. I am burdened for the amount of pain she carried with her to move her to jump. How her loved ones must be reeling.
In this world of intense pain and brokenness I am reminded that people are wounded deeply. I may have trouble to see past the good face they put on, or best foot forward they lead with day to day. But beneath that, the wounds are deep and remain. I am freshly reminded to pray that I might interact with others as those who are deeply loved and be able to be a minister of grace and hope and redemption, as I experience those themes in my life.
Please remember the family of this 19 year old as the mourn the loss of a precious life.
Each person we interact with is the beloved of God. What would it look like for me to really commit to treating them as such? Lord, give me eyes to see each individual as You do.
P.s. title is in reference to one of my favorite Andrew Peterson songs.
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