I learned yesterday, that an attorney I worked for in college, took his own life earlier this week. He left a wife and four children behind. He was 49 years old.
I am deeply saddened by this as you can imagine.
As I contemplated what I wanted to write about this tragedy, I was reminded by God that we never know where another person "is" in their own world. Their pain. Suffering. Sadness. Loneliness. Despair. Grief. Self-Loathing. Fear.
It reminds me that we, as Christians, need to be keenly aware of those around us. Show them love at all times. Let the love of Christ be a light to this dark world. Let the praise of God be continually on our lips. Care for those around us. And be available to others.
Yes, I know that's a tall order to fill. Especially when we get wrapped up in our own world. But, we have a job. A mission. A GREAT commission directed by Jesus Christ himself.
No one can be blamed for the loss of this man. He made his decision on his own accord. But, please seek God today and ask Him to help you be more aware of those around you, so that you can be a light shining bright to them wherever they are in this thing we call "life."
That is so sad. You are right, we get so involved in our own lives, we sometimes overlook what is going on right in front of our noses.
ReplyDeleteGreat reminder to think of others. Thanks!
That is so awful ~ I'll be keeping his wife and children in my prayers. I agree though...we so often get wrapped up in our own needs and problems that we forget about others. As a follower of Christ, we should always be aware of how we can be a light to others. Thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteIt feels really strange when something like that happens.
ReplyDeleteLast year Meg's pediatrician (with the military, you don't always get your kids assigned to the same one on base) tried to commit suicide, but was found by a janitor late at nightin his office at the hostpital before it was successful. I guess he did it there so that his wife and kids wouldn't find him afterward. His daughter is a little older than Cate and his son is 2 weeks older than Meg.
I felt so sad about it. I loved her doctor, and never would have imagined him doing something like that. You just never can really know what's going on with a person, and we should show kindness and compassion to all people; we never know what they're burdened with.