Stop you scrolled too quick! Go back and look at his face. Pay attention to his eyes. Notice his smile.
Derrick Cash, that’s his name. I’ll never forget his name. His face is etched in my mind. He came to several youth events sponsored by our church. We played flag football together. We had random brief conversations. He laughed and joked. He was just a kid.
And when I saw the news about his death, I froze. I couldn’t bring myself to read the article. I didn’t know how to handle it. My wife asked me how I felt and I replied: “I don’t have space to process this.” So I rapidly closed the tab with the article and put my phone down. The truth is, my emotions were jumbled but I noticed sadness, frustration, and a sense of urgency.
Then I sat down and read the article. The details took my heart and clutched it like the jaws of life. He was a 12-yr-old African American male found shot onside of the road, left for dead. He was found by a truck driver gasping for air and died before the EMS arrived.
The article like his family lacks the full story. They do not know who, what, why, or how. There is a lot of missing information, but one thing for sure is I will never forget the name Derrick Cash.
Why? Because he deserved more. He deserved to be at school after Christmas break. He deserved to hear people ask him “What did you get for Christmas?” He deserved to come back home to his mother and siblings. He should have been able to graduate and choose whether or not to go to college. He should have had the opportunity to start his own family and die of natural causes. But now we are just left with tears, questions, and memories.
Why does he deserve more? Because “Jesus loves the little children all the children of the world.” Derrick was made in the image of God. He was uniquely crafted by the Master Potter. He has inherent value because he was made by the God of the universe.
Yet his life slowly passed away, while cars passed by. No one has reported the cause or motives. His family and others are looking for answers. The question is will his shooter face justice in this life.
He died in an undignified way and he deserved more. He deserves justice.
There’s More
It’s not just Derrick, it’s us. As I reflect on his story I don’t see a kid very different from myself. He could have been sitting where I am several years from now. He could have been a husband and father pursuing a doctorate. Or I could have been in his shoes when I was twelve. There are more Derrick’s in this world. There are too many stories of black boys and girls who had the potential to do so much but faced a tragic death. The world still contains potential Derrick’s who need someone to lend a helping hand and tell them about the great I AM.
Questions I Can’t Answer
Derrick’s death brings to mind the question “Oh Lord, How Long?” How long will the enemy continue to steal, kill, and destroy? How long will we have to cry for justice? How long will black parents have to cry because their babies aren’t coming home? How long will we continue to lose our people to violence? How long till the wickedness ceases? How long will we have to be subject to undignified deaths? How long will there be more Derrick’s in the world?
I don’t have the answers, but I know the Lord does. I trust him to do what’s good in His timing. I believe God can and will bring justice. And I am so glad when my emotions are jumbled Jesus is on the mainline waiting and willing to hear. This is a truth for those grieving Derrick’s death and the death of others like him. Jesus is willing to hear your cries of frustration. He will not be overwhelmed by your despair. He understands your calls for justice. His line is never busy.
Maybe you are reading this and wondering what to do.
How to respond?
1) Pray for the city of New Orleans. Pray God’s people are put in key places to bring change. Pray that justice would come for Derrick’s Family. Pray that even this would be an opportunity to lift up the name of Jesus. Pray that law enforcement officers would have favor so justice may be served. Pray for the shooter that they might turn from their wickedness and run to the cross.
2) Pray for Derrick’s Family. Pray that the Lord would provide comfort and care. Pray they would be served by the body of Christ. Pray that amid pain they may lift up their eyes to Jesus. Pray that they may grieve well.
3) Consider giving. Derrick’s Family has set up a Go Fund Me to help with the funeral cost. Bless this family by taking the financial burden off of them so they can focus on grieving.
4) Dedicate time to mentoring youth around you. I am attempting this too, so know I am in this with you. I am trying to consider how do I invest in the next generation with the skills and tools I have. I am tired of losing children. I am sick of reading news articles about my people facing tragic and possibly preventable deaths unfit for those who bear the image of our Mighty God.
I would like to be actively involved in providing black youth with hope, help, and assist them in knowing the one who can supply every one of their needs “according to his riches in glory”. I don’t know what this looks like, but I am determined to figure it out.
I would impoverish my vocabulary trying to completely describe the severity of the underlying issues that are affecting black boys and girls, so I will stop here. But I pray this stirs you up to do good works and you consider how to we can help the Derrick’s in the world, before they are laying onside of the road dying.
DIGITAL EBENEZER 