Novak Funeral

Yesterday we buried Kaitlyn, Christian, and Nathaniel Novak.  It's really difficult to put the day into words.  There shouldn't be coffins that small.  There shouldn't be so much grief for children in one room.  There shouldn't be a mom who was revived only to try to rescue three children she couldn't save.  There shouldn't be a little 4 year old who will mostly remember his older siblings through photos and stories.  There shouldn't be best friends left behind at such a young age.  But, this is reality because we are a fallen people in desperate need of a Savior.  It's tempting to want to scream at Adam and Eve, but I'd rather cling to the truth of the new Eden that is soon to come.

Christ has, and will continue to receive, the glory through every moment of this tragedy.  Kaitlyn was a believer, and we know the Lord takes care of little ones too young to understand the concept of salvation.  The community has stepped up to surround this family and meet their needs as they arise.  Christ was proclaimed during the service yesterday morning as all three children were eulogized and then again at the cemetery before we placed those little coffins in the ground. 

There weren't many dry eyes.  It was difficult to look at Kaitlyn.  She didn't look like herself.  I think the smoke from the fire had caused discoloration in her skin, because there was so much makeup on her that her freckles weren't visible.  I had a picture in my hand of her and what I saw on her face just didn't match.  It was chaos for my brain for several minutes as I begged God for a dose of reality.

All of Kaitlyn's teachers and many faculty members close to Kaitlyn from SCIS came to the funeral, as well as our superintendent and one of the assistant superintendents.  Teachers from previous schools that Kaitlyn, Christian, and Nathaniel were in attendance too.  Kaitlyn was in Leadership Development Corps, the middle school version of ROTC, and our fabulous LDC booster club moms purchased a beautiful wreath that was presented by our campus's sergeant in a touching tribute.  At the cemetery, the children released red balloons with notes written to the children.  Three white homing doves were released as well as a flock of homing doves.  It was a beautiful sight against the bright blue sky.  I think all three children would've been pleased, and I know God was too.

The worst part of the day was seeing one of my sweet students, Maeve, who was in LDC with Kaitlyn.  She had her face buried in her mom's shoulder, sobbing.  All I could do was hug her.  Twelve-year-olds should not be living this.

Now healing begins. It's long and painful, two steps forward and one step back, as each of us who knew one or more of these little ones begins to figure out what 'normal' now is.  We don't walk alone, and I pray that truth over the Novak family many times each day.

My precious friend Suzanne shared Isaiah 57:1-2 with me last night, and I am so grateful to God for speaking His truth through her: The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; the devout are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.

Out of these ashes, beauty will rise.  We will dance among the ruins. We will see Him with our own eyes.   Out of this darkness new light will shine and we'll know the joy that's coming in the morning.  Beauty will rise ~Steven Curtis Chapman