Last night at dinner, the four of us sat at a local restaurant together. As we shared our meal, Lauren recounted her recent dream of BJ. Then one by one, we went around the table and did likewise. I have only had the one, but some of them have had others.

I know that though we do not often dream of him at night, we do, during the day.

We wonder what he is doing, what he is seeing. We drift down paths of the past, and try to remember things we have forgotten...things that include him. This path is wearing deep due to the frequency of our travel there.

It is interesting to try and view the world and circumstances close to home, through his eyes.

The friends he was closest to are now juniors and seniors in High School. How is that possible? How could that much time have passed?

He would now be 17, the age at which he would allow himself to date. What would that look like? Who would he spend time with?

Our lives have radically changed because of his. I often reflect on what he might know of where we are today. The enthusiasm he would have for what we are doing helps ease the intensity and frequency of pain that still abides with us.

Even so, there are those who worry we are being used...that some of our lifechanging decisions were premature.

I know he would have us spend this time focusing on Christ. I know he would celebrate where we are.

It is interesting how uniquely our thoughts are bound together of Jesus and BJ. There is additional comfort in knowing that BJ has experienced Him in ways we have not. Ways we look forward to.

As another new year dawns that he will not physically share with us, we will continue to do what he did so well. Seek the Lord, and attempt to let our pursuits be that of bringing glory to His Name.

For truly, no matter what else each of our lives is or was, what it should be is a reflection of Jesus.

brent