The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
by John Earle
Sports World Pro/Associate Pastor, Union Church of LaHarpe
With Spring there is excitement in the air. It is also a nervous time since their is so much going on with prom, graduation ceremonies or just hanging out. With that said there are also parties to attend and with that choices to be made.
A few years back I was visiting a school in northern Iowa when a teacher mentioned after my talk that I wish you were here two weeks ago. Those words still stick in my mind today.
Four teens found themselves at a party where alcohol was the drink of choice. The more these kids drank the more approval from their classmates they received. They were now the life of the party..or so they thought.
Being in a small town they thought that nothing serious would ever happen to them. But on the way home the driver of the car lost control of his car and smashed it into a tree. The car burst into flames and the kids were trapped. A few seconds later eye witnesses said the car then exploded and 4 teens lost their lives that night.
The next school I spoke at a young lady came up to me with tears rolling down her face and shared with me about how she was woke up by a phone call at 3 a.m. and her mom had to explain to her that she would never see her best friend again. Mr. Earle, she said, I was supposed to be with my friends at that party in that car.
You may ask yourself what about the parents? I've been around paretns who have lost their children in alcohol related accidents or for others reasons. The sickest feeling in the world for a parent is when a police officer visits their home with news no parent ever wants to hear. Your child was killed in an accident. Officers have told me that without a doubt it is the worst part of their job.
Nearly 570 people die every day according to the IDEA magazine and 65% are alcohol related accidents. 70% of high school students who drink on weekends drink and drive.
Young people, Spring is life not death. This weekend think about a visit your parents might get because of your choices. Dont let your next choice be your last!
God Bless,
John Earle
jearle@winco.net