That is the greatest faith question there is

If family or friends of Meredith Emerson, how do you make it?

Supreme test of faith – what do you do? How cope with awful gut-wrenching, debilitating pain?

Story that has rocked Georgia like an earthquake all week

At WSB this week, all anyone could talk about

Meredith – 5'4” 120 – goes hiking on January 1 with dog

Can see her getting out of car on AT

setting out – meets a stranger – older man, 61

Imagine him smiling at her – making small talk, perhaps about weather or dog

Walks alongside her for a little while

And somewhere along the way, the smile turns to a scowl

Older man, Gary Michael Hilton, uses his baton perhaps

Somehow subdues Meredith – dog in two

Puts her in his van

Captive three days – then bludgeons her to death

Decapitates her

Brutality of Muslim proportions – senseless, meaningless, subhuman

Held funeral yesterday in Athens – Central Presbyterian Church

And I wondered all day – how are they doing?

How is her family – parents David and Susan

Close family friend – Peggy Bailey

Roommate – Julia Karrenbauer

How are they doing?

How do you cope?

What do you do when your faith is tested this extremely?

Thought immediately of the families I have been with in 20 years as a pastor

Victims of cruel crimes or deaths, long suffering diseases, tragic accidents

Some folks turn on God – lose faith – How could God allow this to happen?

Other folks – comment, how in the world do you get through something like this without faith – without comfort of a loving God, without hope?

I mean, we all know evil is real

But what do you do when evil monsoons all over your life?

Have you been down this road?

Show is all about real life and faith – best moments and even at worst – where do you go?

What do you do?

Been there?

Keeping line open for family, friends who knew Meredith Emerson – call and reminisce – let us hear about her – we are all hurting and shocked but not like you – like to hear about Meredith and honor her life

Let us hear how you are doing

What do you do?





Miscellaneous

Clips – law enforcement,friends, funeral

Observer's 911 call

God's will – William Sloane Coffin

Death penalty

Charged with Cheryl Dunlap also – tallahassee

suspect in others like John and Irene Bryant in Pisgah Forest

6 AT murders since 1974 -

Do not blame the victims – told friends plans, had ID, had dog, high traffic trail

Living in fear – parent in fear – indoorization of USA

Helps for coping

1. “our focus is on Meredith” - right thing, not on murderer, vengeance, anger

2. Support of faith community

3. Grief support – victims of crime groups – faith basis – forgiveness, healing, thanksgiving, celebration – not anger, bitterness, vengeance

4. Worship and pray even when do not feel like it – experience mercy of God who gives His Son and experiences our pain – promises eternity

5.Create a positive – scholarship fund, a new habit or activity to remember her, etc.., honor her life and the gift she was rather than focus on the loss