Judy Nelson, Revisiting Virginia Tech

On Monday, college students returned to Virginia Tech for the first time since the April massacre that ended with 33 people dead. I have come to know the parents of one of the murdered students, Lauren McCain. Because of my work with a campus ministry, I learned of Lauren’s story and then met her parents at a conference we hosted. My job was to prepare Dave and Sherry McCain for an interview they would do for 5,000 missionaries.

We sat down in a hotel lobby in Colorado to talk about Lauren and how they are doing in the months since she went to heaven. Moments like these feel like I am standing on holy ground. The McCains recounted story after story of ways that the Lord had touched their lives. For example, they were able to join other Christian families in praying in the dorm and classroom where the murders took place. And Dave was able to escort Lauren’s body home to Hampton, Va., (where they live) because a friend knew the undertaker. Dave says he needed that as a gift of closure.

Sherry talked about the fear of all mothers: that one of her four children would precede her to heaven. She remembers asking the Lord three things: “If that is the case, then please let it be painless, fearless and quick.” Later, survivors confirmed that Lauren never saw the shooter enter their German class. The coroner confirmed that Lauren died instantly. And the coroner’s picture also showed Lauren “like she was sleeping,” Sherry told me through tears.

Somehow, this couple continued to list moment upon moment of God’s grace amidst this tragedy. I could hardly speak. There was no bitterness in their hearts, no anger. At every corner, they have experienced Him, His moment by moment grace. I was completely convicted of my lack of faith in the “easy” days of my life. Their testimony to His specific and tender care humbled me.

As did Lauren’s life. She was one dynamic young woman. On her My Space Web page, she had written: “The purpose and love of my life is Jesus Christ. I don't have to argue religion, philosophy, or historical evidence because I KNOW Him. He is just as real, if not more so, as my 'earthly' father.”

Sherry felt compelled to keep quiet when the reporters called. She didn’t know why; and Dave felt badly because all of the other victims’ parents were talking about how wonderful their kids were. It wasn’t until later that they realized why the Lord had asked them to refuse the calls: Lauren’s Web site quote was all the information they had on her. So, The New York Times, NEWSWEEK, The Wall Street Journal and other publications all publicized Lauren’s love for the Lord. “That’s what she would really have wanted people to know,” Dave says.

Just 11 weeks before she was killed, Lauren did a video for Campus Crusade, talking about her relationship with the Lord. You can see that video at http://www.starshellmedia.com/lm_video.htm. It’s a rough cut of a question-and- answer session she did for other college students. But one section is prophetic and amazing to consider in light of her nearness to heaven. On a difficult day, she cried out to the Lord:

I know you live, and I know you live in me, but right now, I feel very dead. And as I was singing, it was so awesome, . . .I asked to see His face, you know, because God says, “Whoever sees my face, He’s going to die.” In a way we die to self, but as human beings, we’re not going to see His face until we’re in Heaven. But I was like, “Oh man, just let me die then, let me see your face.” And He showed me, like, I could see Him, and I could reach out, and I touched His jaw. I know this is really weird, but this is what He did to me, and I could see His face, and I was completely overwhelmed with joy that my God, the Lord of the Universe came down, and He showed me Him. He showed me what I could see with these eyes.

God, give me eyes like Lauren’s.
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Note: In September, a book about Lauren and other Christians on campus at Virginia Tech will be out. I recommend it, especially to young people and those facing sudden tragedies.

Lifting Our Eyes: Finding God's Grace Through the Virginia Tech Tragedy: The Lauren McCain Story.

Comments

[Susie]

Beautiful, Jude. I loved reading this in your letter, and it's just as touching reading it here. So poignant, and so well written. Thanks.

[Chad Jackson]

Thank you for writing this. I know a lot of people have had their faith questioned and strengthened through Lauren. I was fortunate enough to have known her for 5 and a half years. God bless you for what you did for Dave and Sherry.

[Bet]

Very encouraging to know this information, Judy. Thanks for sharing Lauren's story and the evidences of God's care in the lives of her parents.

[Keith]

As one of the 5,000 missionaries, I was deeply affected by the interview with Lauren's parents. Learning how God had used Lauren's upbringing to prepare parents and daughter for the VT witness was so very humbling. It caused me to go to a new place in revisiting the giving of my own children to the Lord, but now offering my grandchildren back to Him also.