Ryan Cook Died

The first time I saw Ryan Cook I was struck by his all-American look. He wore a collared knit shirt, wore his hair short and looked a bit like a young Affleck. His folks built a house behind ours to be next door to their grandparents. We were glad to call them our neighbors. 

Ryan's folks put in tireless hours in support of local sport groups. We would often see Ryan riding his four-wheeler to the lake, or his brother, "Cookie" alongside him. Over the years we knew Ryan had gotten in a bit of trouble, sometimes deep trouble, but we believed in him, that somewhere down the line he'd turn it all around. 

Saturday night his line ended. 

The police don't have any suspects, but they have stated they believe it was drug or gang related. 

We grieve for Ryan's folks, his brother, his family and his friends. But we are also reminded of the great need for compassion. It seems so easy to leave the troubles of others on their doorstep. It's too late now for us to reach out to him, to love on him and maybe let him know, a little louder, that God had a plan for his life, and maybe show him the way toward it. 

To look back and know we could have been the hands and feet of Christ leaves us grieving not only for Ryan, but for ourselves. I'm once again reminded that there's nothing worse than a whoopin' from the Lord.