Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4
As I walk through campus today everything and everyone seems to be dealing with yesterday's tragedy. People are talking about the calls and the text messages that were recieved. They are talking about the random numbers that called their parents to make sure that they were ok. People were talking about the shock of receiving a text message that declared there was a shooting on campus. It was said a lot yesterday that someone never expects something like this to happen to them or to happen on their campus. It wasn't something that I imagined. I've dealt with many bomb threats and with many shootings but nothing scared me quite like this did. It wasn't that I was afraid for my life, it was being afraid for the lives of my fellow Gamecocks. I was very fortunate that I was on the other side of campus but it was still equally as scary. We received multiple reports/rumors of various things that were going on.
People's lives will forever be affected by what went on Thursday. We will forever remember where we were or the multiple text messages we received. We will remember hugging our friends when we finally returned home and hugging our friends who were in the building when it happened. We will remember calling our parents to tell them we were alive and well. We will remember the comfort of hearing a familiar voice telling us that we were loved. We will remember the legacy that one of our professors left behind and we will remember how we came together. The student body became a family last night and so did the state. Clemson students were willing to wear their rival's colors to support the Gamecocks.
God doesn't allow something horrible to happen withhold something good to come from it. God is our shield who will protect us and He protected us yesterday. "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil." God was with us yesterday and continues to be with us as we deal with the aftermath. God is an all powerful God that will restore us and strengthen us and help us become whole again. I truly and firmly believe that.
I have never been more proud to call myself a Gamecock and a South Carolinian. It is such a great honor to be able to call this place my home. With that being said, please continue prayers for everyone on campus and the families of those who are deceased. This will be a long healing process but we will overcome and be stronger because of it.
Here's a health, Carolina. FOREVER TO THEE!
