From the Desk

This week has been, by far, one of the hardest weeks I have faced as a journalist.

Sure, there were plenty of challenges wrapped up in layout and story assignments, meetings and attempting to make contact with sources. But none of those aspects of my week made it particularly challenging.

As a journalist, this week was really hard for me because of the stories I had to write.

This week, I wrote three obituaries for people in the Liberty community. I know this is not unprecedented for journalists, unfortunately, but it was a first for me.
Cancer. An unexpected stroke. A roadside bombing. These are the circumstances that led to the deaths of these people. Any one of the three could probably drive someone to sadness, and I was not immune.

As I typed the stories of these three special individuals, I could not help but think of their families and friends and the hurt they are experiencing.

While I did not know any of them personally, I am still saddened by the idea of a wife having to go to bed without her husband by her side. I am saddened by the knowledge that two parents have to travel back home knowing their son is not with them. I am saddened by the thought of three children who will not get to see their father come home from war and a wife who faces a life without her partner.

However, although having to report on these deaths was particularly rough for me, I was ultimately encouraged by the legacies and impact the three individuals had on those around them, and I was inspired by the stories of practical support the Liberty community offered to grieving families.

Hearing stories of the toughness of the man battling cancer and his genuine care for others, and learning about the selfless service of the soldier killed were bright spots in these somber stories.

In interviewing people for the other story, I was uplifted as I learned how Liberty students and staff prayed fervently for the student who had a stroke and physically supported his family at the hospital.

Despite the gravity of these stories, I am not left disheartened. Although it would be easy to be discouraged by these situations, I also remember that God is fashioning them for good.

In each of the stories, God is evident in the way he used those who died to leave a positive impact on others. God also worked through the Liberty community to show his love to a student’s parents.

Although it may seem bleak at first, ultimately, in the midst of sadness and trials, God’s love can and will shine through. It took a tough task of writing these three articles to remind me of that, but now, approximately 1,700 words later, I am even more convinced.

BROWN is the editor-in-chief