Before Church Blog
Sunday,
September 8, 2019
Because this week (September 8-14 2019) is National Suicide Prevention
Week, I am hosting a guest blog by my daughter and co-author, Erin Stone.
We All
Know Where We Have Been. Do You Know Where You’re Going?
by Erin Stone
As Suicide
Awareness and Prevention Week approaches, I am hit with overwhelming feelings.
Anyone that knows my history will understand because I attempted suicide when I
was 17.
At 29 years
old now, I can’t believe how amazing my journey has been. 12 years seems like a
long time and quite a bit of separation. As they say, hind sight is 20/20. If
17 year-old me could have looked into the future and seen what my life would
look like now, I’m not sure I could have gone through with my attempt.
I am so
thankful that I am still living in this world. I have so many opportunities to
change the direction of my life. When I was 17, I couldn’t image a life like
this. A life where I am so happy to be alive. A life where I have people that I
can feel their love and acceptance like a weighted blanket (in case you didn’t
notice, I want one!). A life where even when everything at work is going wrong,
I’m stressed, I’m tired, the dogs pooped everywhere and the cats threw up on
the bed, I’m good. I may have a moment of freaking out. Who wouldn’t? But then
I just have to laugh at the absurdity of the entire situation.
Why do I say
any of this? Well, I want everyone to know that there is an end. It may take
some time, but the pain and suffering ends. It has to. You have to let it end.
My attempted suicide is such a small part of my life now. It is barely a blip
on the scale of my life. I refuse to be defined by the bad things in my life.
We go through bad things in this world. We go through terrible, heart breaking
things in this life. The key is to not let any of those things define you.
Here’s the
point though, this isn’t about me. It’s not about my history. This is about
you. This is about the people that you love. If this week means as much to you
as it does to me, then you have been touched by suicide or something just as
difficult. It is such a difficult thing to put your head around. Someone
feeling so low that they couldn’t imagine another moment on this earth.
This is why
this week is so important: to let people know that they are not alone. That
they have so much to offer this world. And knowing that we were each preciously
and fearfully made by the most loving and all-powerful God, doesn’t hurt at
all.
The more you
rely and grow in Him, the easier this all becomes. Be the light to the world,
as God is our Light. Share that love with others and let it GROW! When
everything is dark and the walls are caving in, remember, Jesus went before us
and showed us the path.
I am NOT a
victim. I am THRIVING! You are NOT a victim. You are THRIVING! We have so much power,
because we have God. Use this week as a reminder that through God all things
are possible. He specializes in impossible. It’s really His sweet spot of
operations.
“I can do all
things through Him who strengthens me.” - Philippians 4:13 -ESV
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