Hebrews 11:1 says, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and being certain of what we do not see.”
October 12, 2011 marked the one year anniversary of when Jonathan David Michael Lemery passed from this earth to be with his Savior, Jesus Christ. Jonathan, a senior in high school had come home from football practice and was relaxing in the game room. After dinner, his dad had requested Jonathan and Michelle (Jonathan’s mother) to meet with him in the house office to review his grades. After some discussion about his grades, Jonathan looked at his mom and dad, rose from his chair, and walked away towards his room. However, he didn’t go to his room but began walking upstairs. His dad began yelling his name, “Jonathan, Jonathan” but to no avail. Jonathan never stopped and never looked back.
Mike (Jonathan’s dad) had a terrible message come through his mind that Jonathan was “going to get the gun” which was in his closet. Mike’s heart began to beat at a very fast rhythm and he started running up the stairs yelling for Jonathan to stop. As he got to the top of the stairs he realized his worst fears. Jonathan had gone through his bathroom into his closet. As he yelled as loud as he could he could not enter the door as it had been locked. He yelled for Jonathan to open the door as he heard the gun shot. He ran around to another entrance to the bathroom and closet and found Jonathan lying in the closet on the floor. At approximately 7:55 pm Jonathan’s spirit left his body and went to be with his Lord.
It is apparent to us now that Jonathan had been thinking about leaving this earth for some time. The following day his mother found a DVD in his laptop computer. The video was about “saving a life”. The story encourages all of us to reach out to everyone and not be exclusive of anyone. However, it also has a scene in the movie where one of the boys who does not have many friends decides to take his life.
We will always have questions and will always ask “why”. So far, the questions have not been answered. But here is what we do know about Jonathan:
- He was an exceptional loving, compassionate, and giving person.
- He never demanded the spot light in his life. In fact, he was very content to be included in activities at church or school.
- He did not have a “best friend” with whom he spent considerable time.
- He did not star in athletics, academics, and was not overly attractive.
He was your “average Joe”.
- He was a Christ follower and loved his family.
- He never knew how much he was loved.