Most of you probably didn’t see the news story, but 2 girls were murdered in south Fulton County over spring break. One of the girls was the president of the student council at the middle school where I tutor weekly. In fact, she was a student in the home room next door to the one that I work in.

I got the call on Easter afternoon. The principal wanted me there at 8:30 the next morning to counsel with teachers and students. So, with no real counseling experience, I went, but I didn’t go alone. I was counting on the Holy Spirit to give me the words that I needed, and He did.

I spoke to three homerooms, including the home room of the girl that was killed. I tried to encourage them to think about the good things that their friend had taught them and to live out those things in honor of her. Then, I counseled a group of eight students that were having a rough time.

I have to say, yesterday might have been the hardest day I have ever had in ministry. I’m still drained. It’s hard to offer real comfort without being able to talk about the redemption that is found in Christ, but I had to walk that line between church and state carefully.

I guess I’m writing all of this to point out a few things:

• Being involved in the local community is crucial if you want to be able to offer support and encouragement during times of need.
• Counseling is less about formal training and more about listening to the Holy Spirit (not that formal training is bad).
• Sometimes to honor Jesus and serve our community we have to walk into places and situations that are not comfortable.
• Sometimes we ask why, but there is no good answer.
• Sometimes life sucks.
• We must press on.