In the midst of a busy season, one devastating incident caused us all to come to a forced halt this past Wednesday and grieve and mourn. I was upstairs doing my quiet time and heard someone open the front door and the heart-jarring sound of Sam crying floated up the stairs. I ran downstairs to see Emily and Grace standing next to Sam and slowly I pieced together what had happened. Sam's 20-year old cousin had committed suicide. We stood around Sam, confused and sad and unable to comprehend the enormity of death and especially death caused by suicide. We prayed in the capacity that we were able to (because really, isn't death a wordless circumstance? One that leaves you bewildered and shocked to the core?). Sam left for the suburbs to be with her family, and the rest of us tried to go about our days. Last night, I came home to see everyone in the living room, and we spent some time praying and just simply being with each other. God, my community is in pain. God, my friend and dear sister is in pain and I don't understand why suicide is something you permit. I pray that in the confusion and the anger and the denial, that Sam and her family would experience your love and your presence. Lord, come.