I have been writing and rewriting this post. My mind and heart just keep going back to our community's loss. I pray that you know that when you read this, the words are from the heart and I pray that one person finds a little relief from the post.
Tomorrow is going to be a tough day for our community as we lay SRO Rick Coyle to rest. I wish I had some words of wisdom and healing to share tonight. My heart is heavy and I have to stay in prayer over such a tragic loss. We all know how unfair life can be, but this one just hurts a little worse than others.
I wasn't fortunate to have a relationship with Rick. I only met him a handful of times. Each encounter is that much more special to me today. Rick was always humble, kind and "on duty". He never lost sight of his objective and wanted to serve and protect. I can say he absolutely did just that.
Our community is in mourning for the loss of someone that chose to be here, chose every day to show up for our school students and faculty. What I wish he understood was how much of an impact his presence had on our school system. I believe he changed lives for the better just by being himself and doing the "job". This man was cut from a different cloth. His work wasn't his job, it was his calling.
The words from 2 Timothy 4:7-8 continue to fill my spirit as I type this message. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. I believe this is a true testament of Rick's life's work.
Rick will never know the impact he had on all of us. We are all better for having met him. He was loved and we know that because of the pain we feel now that he's no longer with us.
I pray that each of you feel the Holy Spirit's presence tomorrow as you attend Rick's funeral. I pray for continued peace, comfort, protection and guidance in the coming days during your bereavement period. I pray for each of you hurting tonight.
Most of all, I want to thank his wife, Jamie, for sharing her wonderful husband with us. We did not deserve such a blessing as SRO Rick Coyle. I am forever grateful to him.
Love,
Kelley
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