I had the privilege of attending the Fort Hill Youth Rally for three years with my youth group. Fort Hill filled my heart with so much happiness every year that I was there. The hearts of the people involved with those youth rallies, were hearts filled with Jesus. There was laughter, camp fires, zip-lining, good food, volleyball (not played with rules), worship and so much more. You could feel Jesus just by looking at someone's smile. One of those smiles, was Tyler Jones'.
I remember him by his presence. He could go from making you laugh, to teaching you more about Jesus than you ever knew. He was, without a doubt, one of the funniest people I have, and probably will ever meet.
Although I only had only talked to him a couple times, he had such an awesome impact on my life. One of those times, the leaders had separated everyone in the room, to try and help us meet new people. They had us get into groups of our birthday months, and whoever we were around is who we had to sit with. Tyler and I were the only people with May birthdays. I remember only sitting with him for a couple minutes and he had me laughing to no end. I still tell my friends stories, to this day, about some of the things he said. He was one of a kind, and will surely be missed.
I know I could never understand how all of his life-long friends, and family are feeling about this day. Although there is pain and mourning here on earth, there is joy in heaven. My heart and my prayers go out to all of you in this difficult time.
My prayer for you: God, I ask you to please grant everyone close to Tyler understanding and peace. I ask you to wrap your loving arms around them all, and to remind them of all of the joy Tyler had put into their lives. God, you are great, and we know that your plans are much larger than ours. I ask you to be with everyone in this tough time. I ask this prayer in Jesus' holy and precious name. Amen.
Isaiah 41:10 “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Revelation 21:4 “ ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
Psalm 18:2 “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.”