Events in life can be unexpected. Last Monday my good friend Derek Lowry, who was only twenty-one died. He became sick, was taken to the hospital, and died from medical complications in the same day. The day before that he was fine. He had told his family that he was finally at peace with not being able to serve his entire mission because of health issues. Was it because he was finally at peace that he died? His mother said it was his time to go because it all happened so quickly. So when he got sick, God used it as his chance to take him. His family said that now Derek gets to start his real mission in the Kingdom of Heaven. A scripture that has brought me comfort as I remember Derek is St. John 16:33 and it says, “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” What peace this scripture brought to me. I know that Derek feels peace because he is with God now. I am in this world still and Derek’s death has been an unexpected tribulation but in God I can have peace.
Derek left this world having a peace of mind, just as he told his parents. Since we never really know when it will be our time to leave this world we should live always with a peace of mind. In Mosiah 4:3 it says, “And it came to pass that after they had spoken these words the Spirit of the Lord came upon them, and they were filled with joy having received a remission of their sins, and having peace of conscience, because of the exceeding faith which they had in Jesus Christ who should come[…].” This scripture tells us that if we are clean and without sin that we can have peace of mind. Derek was the most childlike person I know. He even fainted when he tried to kiss a girl the first time. This boy did not commit huge sins and he was able to tell others that he was at peace with himself because of it. If we try to keep ourselves clean and pure, without sin in front of our Lord daily and forever we can always have peace of conscience and be ready to meet our maker when the time comes. We can meet our maker with peace of conscience like Derek did.
Another thing that adds to peace of mind is being good to others. Mosiah 4:5 states “And ye will not have a mind to injure one another, but to live peaceably, and to render to every man according to that which is his due.” Derek made everyone around him feel like they were worth something. He was the reason I would go to my singles ward activities. Derek made me feel loved. I can liken this unto living with my roommate. My roommate, Sarah, and I get along so well. It is because we are kind to each other and we try to live peaceably. I don’t put my stuff on her side of the room because I have my own side. This solves conflicts that could be started otherwise. We also look out for each other in good ways. We are kind when the other is having a bad day. We serve each other. We do not try to outdo, or be better than the other but we shower each other with love. Our room is a happier place because of it. This makes our lives better and brings a peace into our apartment that would not be there if we did otherwise. Derek also brought peace into the lives of others because he showed them so much love.
If we want to have peace we should turn to God. “The founder of peace, yea, even the Lord” is the only way we will obtain peace in our lives. The devil cannot replicate the feeling of peace. I know that the peace I feel over Derek's passing is from God.
Peace can affect us in positive ways. If we try to “ establish peace” we will gain peace. When I am at peace, I feel a sense of hope. Because the spirit speaks peace to my soul, I can know that Derek is in the right place. He is where God wants him to be. I know that families can be together forever and I can feel peace knowing that Derek’s family and friends will be able to see him again. It was hard for me to let Derek go, but as I turn to God I can feel peace. Peace as I live peaceably with others, peace as I look to God, and peace as I follow Derek’s example of living a Christ-like life. I will miss Derek but I have a peace of mind knowing he is with our Heavenly Father. May this be a tribute to Derek. I know our Heavenly Father lives and that Derek will be doing a great work in his Kingdom. I love you Derek.
Works Cited
1. John 16:33 (cross reference)
2. Mosiah 4:3
3. Mosiah 4:13
4. Mosiah 15:18
5. Mosiah 29:14
6 comments:
Thank you for publishing this tribute of peace for your friend Derek. Please accept my sincere condolences at the loss of such a special friend. It comforts me to know that people that Derek have been, will be, and are among us. Your message makes me want to try harder to be better, more gentle, much more childlike, in other words: I want to be a peacemaker.
Your story was very touching, and i really enjoyed your blog. Thanks!
That is truly an amazing story. You are very lucky to have had such a sweet person in your life. I'm sorry about his passing and I am glad that you have used this as an opportunity to find peace and strengthen your testimony.
Hey Amy! Thank you for your blog! It was very sweet. Your tribute to your friend helps me remember to have an eternal perspective and that peace brings hope.
Basing your blog, and the effects of being a peacemaking around someone you know was very effective. It's more believable when you know that a mortal was able to reach such a level. :)
Amy,
Thank you for sharing this, it's always very hard to lose someone close to you. Derek sounds like such a wonderful person, I wish I could become more like him; pure, childlike, and at peace.
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