Will You Uphold Me?

On our way back from Florida today, I finished listening to the book, “Blackwater.” In it, the main character, Brodie, plays a simple prank on two kids from his high school, yet the prank goes wrong and both kids die. Paralyzed by emotion and reality, Brodie allows his cousin—a wandering, attention seeking soul who lives for danger—to construct a lie about the events that led to the students’ deaths. As a result, Brodie and his cousin are heralded as heroes…yet the truth eats at Brodie’s soul.

One girl knows the truth, though. One girl saw what happened. In a gentle, loving way, this girl encourages Brodie to confess the truth because she knows, from experience, that hiding the truth is more difficult than living a lie. She assures Brodie that even though the truth may be difficult to speak and even though it may not be well-received, things will, in time, smooth over and telling the truth, in the end, will allow Brodie to live free. She also assures Brodie that she will support him and walk with him through whatever happens.

Eventually Brodie tells the truth. As can be expected, Brodie’s parents are devastated. They hurt for the reality of what happened but they also grieve for the weight of guilt that their son has been carrying alone.

The book ends the night before the funeral of the second student. Literally sick with regret and worry—with the knowledge that his life will never be the same—Brodie—a middle school boy—asks his parents if he can lay between them in their bed—in the place where he once felt safe. As the family lay on their backs beside one another that night—each thinking their own thoughts—the mom and dad drift to sleep...but Brodie lies restlessly awake.

Then, in one of the most profound scenes I have ever read, Brodie whispers his dad’s name. His dad immediately wakes up—the book says it’s as if the dad only half sleeps—as if he’s always listening for his name in case his son or wife need him—and says, “Yes.”

Brodie says, “Dad. Will you uphold me tomorrow?”
Brodie’s dad responds, “Son. I will uphold you tomorrow and in all the days to come.”
And then Brodie goes to sleep.

Oh dear friends…may we be like Brodie’s father (and friend) and choose to uphold one another no matter what truths are confessed or lies are constructed.

Like Brodie, I believe we’re each doing our best to survive, yet sometimes life spins out of control and leaves us gasping for air. Some days we have it all together while other days we’re lucky to survive. But oh the scary freedom of truth! Oh the knowledge that we’re all in this thing called life together! Oh the sting of consequences but the balm of grace! Oh the assurance of being loved…of feeling safe…of feeling secure…of knowing you’re going to make it…of knowing you are upheld.

“Deanna? Will you uphold me?” you may ask.
“Yes, friend.” I will answer. “I will uphold you. Today, tomorrow, and in all the days to come.”

Amen.