A Christian
“Exceptional student and athlete”, “Fun-loving”, “Full of Spirit”, “Caring”, “Friend”, “Christian”
These are just some of the things I heard said about my friend Alicia’s brother Jarrett when we were in Virginia this weekend celebrating his life and grieving his sudden death.
Jarrett Lane was a son to Tracey, brother to Alicia and Fawn, brother-in-law to Dan and Roger, grandson to Nancy, uncle to Landon, Kennedy, and Kaydance, and a friend to all that met him. Last Monday Jarrett was one of the victims of the senseless tragedy that took place at Virginia Tech and the world will never be the same without him.
I was fortunate that I got to get a chance to know who Jarrett was. His sister, Alicia, and her husband, Dan, are two of my best friends and two of the most important people in leading me to Christ and to all the wonderful blessings and friends God has given me through Horizon Church. So many times while hanging out Alicia would talk about what her brother was up to whether it was at school, playing sports, working, traveling to Georgia to visit his grandfather, watching Virginia Tech sports, or anything else Jarrett was doing at the time. These conversations were always so much fun and awesome to have because I remember how happy Alicia always was when she was talking about him. She always had a smile when she told us what Jarrett was doing. There is no doubt that she was so proud of her little brother and when you look at who Jarrett was you can easily see why.
I also got a chance to meet Jarrett one time when he came to Baltimore to visit Dan and Alicia. I remember us just hanging out at their apartment in Owings Mills having a great time. I remember us just laughing and having fun as we told stories and just shared our lives with each other. Jarrett was fun and a friend to anyone he met and I feel blessed to say that I got that opportunity.
This past weekend as some friends and I traveled to Narrows, VA we got to learn more about who Jarrett was and what he meant to all the people he came into contact with. We got to see and hear first hand what he meant to his hometown of Narrows. He was more than the valedictorian, athlete, youth leader, he was one of their stars and Narrows or any other town could not have asked for a better ambassador. It is amazing to hear how thousands showed up for his viewing and to see how a town grieved together at his funeral. He truly was the best this generation or any generation has to offer and he will surely be missed.
My friends and I also were given the honor of being a part of his funeral and it was something I will never forget. One thing I took away from this service was Jarrett’s faith and his love of Jesus. It was said there and at other times how when asked what he would want to be remembered for Jarrett would always answer as a Christian. When you look at Jarrett’s life there is no doubt that he was.
As I have reflected on this past week and on all that has happened I can’t stop thinking about Paul’s words in 2 Timothy when he says “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day - and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” I see Jesus with Jarrett telling him that Yes, you have fought the good fight, that you have finished the race, and have kept the faith and I see the smile on Jarrett’s face as he embraces his Lord and Savior.
Jarrett’s death came to soon for all of us, especially for those he loved and for those that loved him. He truly will be missed but he will never be gone from our hearts.
So as I conclude this let me just say to my friends Alicia and Dan how much I love both of you and that I am praying for you and your family through this time. Thank you for letting me know and experience who Jarrett was and will always remember Jarrett as an awesome guy and as he would have wanted as a Christian.
* Two funds in honor of Jarrett have been established. I encourage you, if you feel led to, to please send contributions to either the Jarrett Lane Memorial Fund, or the Jarrett Lane Scholarship Fund, in care of Celco Federal Credit Union, P.O. Box 361, Narrows, Virginia 24124.
* Also I ask that you please keep Jarrett’s family as well as all the families of this tragedy in your thoughts and prayers.