Breyshawn

When I said goodbye to my friends at LOT to go on the race, I knew that I would realistically never see most of them again. I’d been around the LOT long enough to know that we love people well and as much as we can, but that we don’t get to have everyone forever. People are in and out of the LOT and out of Anderson for various reasons, both good and bad. It’s just our job to show them the love of Jesus while we have them.

I pray and hope that when they leave the LOT, it’s for a good reason. I’ve seen Jesus walk our guests into some incredible opportunities: rehab, new jobs, places to stay, reconnection with family, education, and the list goes on. God is always good, and his character stays the same, but his methods aren’t always the same, and they don’t usually make sense to us.

I met Breyshawn on one of my first visits to the LOT. He was close with my friend Bethany, and I immediately felt connected to him once I learned that we were just over a year apart in age. He was quiet, and had an intelligent, kind presence. Over the course of my time at LOT, I got to know the boy behind the soft smile and hear his heart. He loved his family, and loved his friends. He was easygoing and carefree, and was stubborn as all get out. He was kind. He liked to hear stories about University and the classes I was taking and to hear my crazy waitress stories. Even if he didn’t say it or show it much, he was always listening intently. Whenever I was sure he was tuning me out, he would encourage me to go on. He would tell me about his grandma and what he did during the day, and tell me all about his schemes to get a new job or find a new spot to stay. He always gave me a hug when he saw me, even if he was embarrassed by how excited I was to see him every time. He was insistent that the KJV was the best translation of the bible. He was my friend, he felt like my brother because of how close we were in age.

On Thursday, November 21st, Breyshawn passed away at just 17 years old. Even typing this out, I can’t wrap my head around it. He was so young and he had so much life left to live. He had so much time to turn it all around. He was working on his diploma and applying to jobs. But the Lord took him home. I don’t pretend to understand why the Lord took him home to heal him rather than heal him here on Earth. It hurts to see the streets of Anderson and to know he’s not around napping or strolling somewhere. It hurts to think of his smile and his laugh and know that I won’t get to see it again. It hurts to know that it was the last time I got to hug him and tell him I loved him, and to hear him say that he loved me too (an affection that he didn’t give easily). I miss him more than words can express.

But I take comfort in knowing he was loved here on Earth. His community loved and cared for him, and we miss him dearly. And the creator of the universe is loving and healing him infinitely better than we could ever hope to, and I trust his timing.

There are so many Breyshawns out there. So many people are experiencing homelessness or hardship and need our help. This doesn’t have to be their story. I pray that his story would serve as a reminder that we don’t have to travel across the world to be the hands and feet of Jesus, sometimes we just need to open our eyes to those around us and step outside.

I love you Breyshawn. Can’t wait to hug you in heaven.