About two weeks ago, my sister called me to tell me that one
of her friends had committed suicide. He was around 24 years old. Married for a
few years, and going through a separation with his wife.
Yesterday she called me again to tell me that another one of
her friends committed suicide. She was also the same age and married for a few
years, and was arguing with her husband the night she killed herself.
I only knew of these people just from going to the same
school as them, and from my sister talking about them. I didn’t know either of
them very well. Yet, there is this pain in my heart for the people that loved
them very much. A pain I can’t quite describe. Maybe it’s more guilt than
anything. Guilty at the fact that they felt like this would be the answer. Guilty
that our world is so fallen. Guilty because, something or some one else could
have helped them. Guilty because I know that I walk past people every day that
are hurting in the same way. People that just need someone to reach out to them.
Someone that loves and cares about them. I go through my days thinking only
about me 95% of the time. I am a selfish person. I know that it’s not my job to
save everyone, but I know that there are times throughout my days I recognize
the cries of others, and I keep on walking, not even looking back.
With the news of these two very young people taking their
own lives, I have been filled with hurt and deep empathy. I wish there was more
I could do for people feeling so hopeless and lost. I wish I could tell every
single person feeling this way that there is another way to deal with their
hurts. There is a God that loves them deeply, and cares for them more than they
would ever know. He is all they ever need. He IS enough. And, all He wants to
do is love you, unconditionally.
Lord, open my eyes in such a way that I would know when
people are truly hurting. Lead me to show your overwhelming love for them.
Speak truth and love always.
