Wednesday, March 25, 2020
Henry entered my family's life many years ago. I think he was in 5th or 6th grade. I was teaching Sunday school at Cayce First Baptist. My husband and two daughters lived in Swansea, and Henry lived outside of Gaston. He wanted to go to Sunday school, so we altered our usual route to start picking him up for church. I don't know how often we picked him up, but it was enough for him to become a regular part of our Sunday morning rides. We grew to love Henry He had a great laugh, was shy at first, humble, kind and empathetic heart, and a desire to grow in the Lord. I remember thinking what a unique little fellow because what kid wants to just be picked up for church? There was something different about Henry!! I just loved him so much - he taught me a lot that I recognize now that I didn't back then.
Over the years, we wound up going out separate ways. Not sure what happened other than life. BUT -- Henry and I would bump into each other ever so often on social media. One time, we re-connected on a deeper level. I think he was around 25 at the time. He was livling in Charleston and had gone through some rough years. We messaged back and forth, and I reminded him of how special he was. He had such a huge heart!!! I knew he was made for more than what he was experiencing and wanted so desperately to help him see himself through God's eyes. Life moved in again, and time began to pass in between communication.
A few more years passed, and one of us reached out again. Not sure how it happened, but Henry was back in Gaston now. Henry wanted to go to church again with us, so we picked him up one Sunday and headed to Christian Life Church, our new church home. Afterwards, we ate out at KFC and caught up on life. Again, I longed to help Henry see the greatness within himself. I knew 100% God had made Henry for something unique and made just for Henry. I knew God could take everything Henry had gone through, good or bad, and use it for Henry's good and God's glory. I encouraged him to get his GED and take one step at a time. I still loved Henry!
Henry Hatchell marked my heart in ways that no other child has. I still see that young boy with the beautiful and shy grin with his head sorta down but looking up through his eyes. My heart aches deeply for Charlotte and Eddie because NO parent should have to bury their child. It is almost too much for the human heart to bear -- BUT GOD. God is the absolutely only way through this pain. He understands it because He had to watch His Son die on a Cross to save us all. I choose to believe that Henry knew the Lord, and that I will see him again one day. Of course, this knowledge may not help with the pain now, but at least there is hope for a reunion in the heavenly future.
Charlotte & Eddie, I cannot impress upon you how important it is to crawl up into God's arms and just let Him hold you. Cry out to Him. Let Him hear how much pain you're in. He knows it but talking about it really does help. Time really does move the grief process along. You will never forget Henry or the pain, but it will lessen and become bearable. I pray that at some point years down the road you will be able to see how God turns this into something good. Inconceivable now, I know, but Romans 8:28 tells us that God will find a way to make sense of this loss. Just know that you have a long-lost friend who is praying for you all. I really did love your son and was blessed to have journeyed with him even for a short while. Take care of yourselves and hold tighter to God. He's your life buouy.