A Sad Day

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

A Sad Day

Today I found out some terrible news. Over the past year of us owning the espresso bar, there has been a young woman trying to get a job with us. She has applied on and off. We never needed anyone at the time when she times she would come in. She seemed nice enough, but I also there were some other instabilities in her that made me think that she might not be a good fit even if we had needed someone at the time.

One of my customers came through today who is owns a day care. I asked how her weekend was, and she told me that she was in mourning. One of the children that she cares for..., well his mother had passed away. My heart sank when she shared this. I guess that's because deep down inside I knew who it was. I was afraid to ask, but when I did, my thoughts were confirmed.

What was even more troubling is when I was told that she had actually taken her own life. Somewhere along the way, this young woman, who's life had crossed my path, who I never really "knew", had lost hope. Even the hope of a future for her son was not enough. It was not enough to stop her from letting whatever torture that was inside of her lead her to the destruction of her own life.

Suicide. The ultimate act of selfish desperation. There is no act more extreme to oneself that can be done. There is nothing beyond complete self destruction for the individual who makes that choice. Whatever is so terrible in their lives, that they can't go on, ends in a matter of moments. The selfishness of it all, is that it leaves everyone who cares for that person with a lifetime of pain.

Her poor son, mother, father, sisters, brothers, friends... My prayers for God's comfort are with the the ones she left behind in her reckless act of selfishness. My heart hurts for her too though that she felt there was nothing left.

Life is a precious gift, yet oh so fragile. We must cherish every moment we have. There is abundant joy available to us all no matter how grim the situation. There is only one place that we will truly find it.

Thank you Jesus for each precious moment of life. Thank you for your hope, joy, and peace. Thank you that you have given us the promise of living life abundantly, no matter how bleak the situation may appear. Thank you that through Your sacrifice, we can find all of this and more. Thank you.