The End of Innocence

So what was it for you? When did you first realize that the innocence was gone? Was it a particular event? Was it the terrorism attack of 9/11? Was it a divorce? Or a loss of a friend?

Think back to when you did not know any pain or brokenness? Maybe it was childhood memories of a Birthday Party or a trip to the Beach or a Fair or Busch Gardens? It was a time when 'All was right in the World'.

This summer, I had the opportunity to watch my nephew as a 7 year old, who is having some difficulties with a condition similar to autism. I also was able to observe his parents. Their love for James is incredible (of course), but to see how they adjust their life for James' care is a ministry for me. They take long bike rides. There is an incredible amount of treatment required, which they so willingly provide. But it is no exaggeration to say that James has changed their life. But back to James: He is the happiest little guy - He has no anxiety. He is Innocent. He plays and plays. Interacts with people, loves TV. He never realizes all of the care that his condition warrents - and so shall it be.

I remember for me the end of innocence: I was a sophomore in High School. Good Friends, Great community, all was right in the world. In Chem class, I had a friend. Not really a girlfriend, but a girl who I just kinda "played" with. Her name was Amy. She sat in front of me with curly hair - It was a "flirty" relationship, but no real depth. And actually we never spent any time together outside of class.

So on one evening after a football game I remember looking out on Parham Rd and seeing flashing lights like an ambulance - And I remember thinking what is that about. The next morning I discovered that Amy and her boyfriend had been in an accident and were killed. At the time it was a shock, but it did not become a reality until Monday morning when I was sitting in class and the stool was empty, I could see straight through to the front of the class. No one said anything (because we all knew). There was just an empty stool! The end of innocence.

It was the first time I realized that something was terribly wrong in the world. People died. Relationships fell apart. The parents of friends got divorced. Relatives got really sick and died. There were robberies, shootings, crimes and things were broken.

Why would God allow this? Couldn't He stop it? Couldn't He make the Drunk Driver drift to the right into the culvert rather than left into Amy's car.

I think it was God's intention for us to be in relationship to Him just as it was with Adam & Eve. There was only one law. Easy to obey. Yet we couldn't obey it. We were convinced that we could manage life without that relationship. We moved away - and I believe that is when the Universe lost its innocence.

Sin entered the world.