Oct
17
Written by:
Janis
10/17/2008 7:00 PM
I attended a funeral this morning of one of the many Norton churched cafe
visitors. He was just a few months shy of being 16. He has loving
parents and friends who all reveled in his life but admitted he was
hyperactive and could be mischievous. He was in church on Sunday, hugging
and loving everyone and took his own life Tuesday.
This is the third high schooler in this area in the last five years who
has taken his own life and we were involved in a twenty yr daughter who
did the same last yr. I am trying to understand why this is considered an
OK choice?
What is making life so hard for young people? Or why do they perceive it
as being unbearable?
Please don't pass up any opportunity to encourage another, compliment
another, smile, say hello, all those things we sometimes get in too big of
a hurry for. I am believing more and more people do want to connect with
each other, they just don't want to make the first move for fear of
rejection. Since knowing Pastor Dale, I have experimented with this
myself, I am amazed how desperate people are to talk to someone who will
listen and almost always in passing I get a response to my "Hello!"
Reach out and touch someone personally every chance you can today and let
God use it. We may never know what a difference we make in someone else's
life but it will lift your spirits too.
Loving God through His people,
Janis ><>
Tags:
4 comments so far...
Re: Life
Jan, I'm so sorry to hear of this tragedy. The Cafe ministry is certainly
doing its part and is making a difference in lives. Who knows how many young
people that have been touched by that ministry did not take their own lives
because of you and others. Thank you for making me aware of what can be
considered a small thing like saying "hello" does make a difference. May God
bless you and may He bring comfort to that grieving family. JK
By Joycelyn on
10/18/2008 7:14 PM
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Re: Life
Jan-I'm so sorry to hear about the young man who took his life and the sorrow that you,his family, friends and so many who hear about him are feeling. Thank you for reminding us to reach out with kindness and encouragement to anyone we possibly can.Because of the upcoming election, I'm thinking so much of the tragedy of abortion. I wonder how much that influences people who decide to take their own life. If another can choose to take the life of her child and our society fights fiercely to accept, allow and even promote that as a solution for even reasons of inconvenience,what is the message to anyone struggling with their feelings of worthlessness?I am trying to keep my thoughts on the Lord especially about the election and the issue of abortion. The verses in Revelations 1:5 about Jesus being the ruler of the kings of the earth and Revelation 19:16 about his name, "King of kings and Lord of Lords", are comforting. I'm trying to remind myself of the battles in the Old Testament where God brought about victory over huge odds.I'll pray for God to comfort you and give you wisdom and strength as you minister tothose He brings to you.With love,Chris
By Chris on
10/18/2008 7:27 PM
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Re: Life
Hi Jan. I'm so sorry for the loss of another precious one. I'm keeping you
and the family in prayer.
Years ago (long before I was saved) I worked with a young woman whose
outward appearance was everything the media says is beautiful. She had two
darling little daughters and a handsome loving husband. At one point, I
asked if she would like to have lunch with me and we just talked although I
don't remember that anything deep or desperate was discussed. Anyway, the
next day she told me that she had been considering ending her life and that
our lunch helped keep her from doing that. So.....amen Sister!
Kris
By Kris on
10/18/2008 7:29 PM
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Re: Life
That was an excellent message you wrote about reaching out to
people. We could have a long talk sometime about teens and suicide
and reasons but only God can fully understand the why.
Love,
AJ
By AJ on
10/18/2008 7:31 PM
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