James was recovered 12 years ago today, January 31 2011. When we share James’ story, we often say that when James was recovered we thought James’ story was over, that our story was over. We then add two words, But God. We had no idea that God was not through with James’ story nor how He would continue to use it. On January 15th, the 12th anniversary of the day James went missing, Joy Fondren, one of James’ favorite teachers, sent us a text message. She wrote, “I received the following message this morning from a friend I met about 6 years ago at the AP Reading. He lives in Tennessee and although he no longer does the reading we have kept in touch. I thought you would like to see how James is still touching lives.”
Her friend’s text read, “Out of nowhere I know, but I was curious about your picture and figured out what the background was pretty quick from the comments. For some reason I was compelled to keep reading story after story. Ugh. That poor poor mother. It's just gut wrenching even to read about it. I hate hate hate these kind of things. The poem he wrote about a classmate that passed away earlier. The story about Mark Richt sending them a jersey. The pastor reading a letter saying James made the team. The one kid who never met him except for once in the hall when James told him "whatever it is God can handle it". We teachers unfortunately deal with kids that lose their life way too young, and evvvvveryone is a tragedy. But sometimes I feel like the stories get drummed up or something. It's horrible to even think that but I do sometimes. But all the stuff people said about this James Eunice. I am 500 miles and 12 years removed and I feel like I know the guy and I feel like he really is everything everybody says he is. I bet your community was just shattered. I don't know why I'm telling YOU all this, as you clearly lived it. Something just drew me into his story.”
I cried as I read it. I shared it at Valwood when we spoke to their FCA huddle a week and a half ago. I got choked up as I read it that morning. The words “something just drew me into his story” brought back memories of words Drew Jubera wrote four years after losing James. Drew wrote, “He had a presence far too stubborn to fade. A gift. A light.”
As I type this note, I remain in awe of how God continues to use the story of James’ life and legacy. That gift. That light. Tom Brokaw once said, “It’s easy to make a buck. It’s a lot tougher to make a difference.” That’s how James lived, to make a difference. Joy’s friend saw it 12 years later and 500 miles away. It only reemphasizes the words of Dillon Burroughs, “Everyone leaves a legacy, whether they want to or not. The question is, “What kind of legacy will you leave?”
We see the purpose behind James’ life, the legacy that’s still making a difference. It doesn’t lessen the pain of his not being here. As CS Lewis said, “The death of a beloved is like an amputation.” We will continue to miss him daily, but will also continue to move forward as we walk this broken path and share a story of hope as long as God allows us. Thank you, Joy for sharing. Thank you, James for how you lived. I love you and I miss you.