Very Sad Day For a Family
Today, I spent 4 hours at a visitation for a young 23 year old young man, who took his own life Wed. afternoon. I do his funeral tomorrow at 2 pm.
I knew his mother years ago and I new his grand-dad for many years. He is now since deceased.. This young man's fiance was there, his mother, his dad, and a who church full of his friends. They had his visitation at a church because the chapel at the local funeral home would not hold the numbers.
This family has little religious affiliation at all. This young man has had depression issues for years and a friend of his, ended his life 18 months ago to the day this young man, ended his. He had many many friends, his family has money, he had a beautiful fiance, he was going to college but, he just could not overcome this depression.
Tomorrow, will be a very tough day for all concerned. It was bad today but, tomorrow will be the worst. Being a preacher, all I can do is to preach the love of God and share salvation with this family. I will do my best to try and comfort them and let them know that God loves them because, he too had a son die at 33.
We as Pastors and preachers are just servants. We serve in this capacity because we have a calling on our life that directs us to this servant's position. It guess hard on us at times. This will be the second suicide victim's service I have done in 4 days.
For those of you who read my journal, say a prayer for me tomorrow about 2pm. This will be one of the hardest funerals I have done in 36 years. I just want to be a vessel of comfort and to honor the Lord through all of this.
I knew his mother years ago and I new his grand-dad for many years. He is now since deceased.. This young man's fiance was there, his mother, his dad, and a who church full of his friends. They had his visitation at a church because the chapel at the local funeral home would not hold the numbers.
This family has little religious affiliation at all. This young man has had depression issues for years and a friend of his, ended his life 18 months ago to the day this young man, ended his. He had many many friends, his family has money, he had a beautiful fiance, he was going to college but, he just could not overcome this depression.
Tomorrow, will be a very tough day for all concerned. It was bad today but, tomorrow will be the worst. Being a preacher, all I can do is to preach the love of God and share salvation with this family. I will do my best to try and comfort them and let them know that God loves them because, he too had a son die at 33.
We as Pastors and preachers are just servants. We serve in this capacity because we have a calling on our life that directs us to this servant's position. It guess hard on us at times. This will be the second suicide victim's service I have done in 4 days.
For those of you who read my journal, say a prayer for me tomorrow about 2pm. This will be one of the hardest funerals I have done in 36 years. I just want to be a vessel of comfort and to honor the Lord through all of this.
Replies
There is nothing more devastating then suicide...The family will be doing a lot of if onlys Peewee... if only we\'d seen this or done that.. I believe the most important thing that they know is it is in no way their fault and he had a sickness...Bless you my friend...My God give you the strength you need to help you through this pain...xo
I SENT YOU A MESSAGE PEEWEE AND MY HEART JUST HURTS FOR YOU AND THIS FAMILY. I WILL BE PRAYING NOT ONLY AT 2PM FOR YOU BUT ALL NIGHT TONIGHT (SAT) AND ALL DAY TOMORROW AND ALL THE DAYS TO COME. THIS IS SUCH A VERY SAD AND HORRIFIC TIME AND I PRAY THAT THE LORD WILL SHINE THRU YOU TO THIS FAMILY WHERE THEY WILL SEE HIM AND COME TO KNOW HIM THRU YOU. YOU PEEWEE ARE SUCH A VESSEL OF THE LORDS AND HE WILL BE WITH YOU AND I AM COMING INTO AGREEMENT WITH YOU THAT THIS FAMILY WILL FIND THE LORD THRU YOU AND THAT THE LORD WILL FILL THEM AND YOU WITH PEACE THAT ONLY HE CAN GIVE ALL OF YOU.
GOD BLESS YOU ALWAYS DEAR FRIEND...,JULIE
I hope and pray that it goes well for you tomorrow...may the Lord bring you comfort in your hour of need...
My heart is with you today, Pee Wee. I know this will be one of the most difficult services you\'ve ever done. You\'ll get through it with the same grace and dignity that you get through each day. Because that is who you are. Love you.
Pee Wee please read the following article I found this afternoon....it may help you at least understand that this young man did not by choice end his life, although, it appears that way. You say he was dealing with depression for most of his life and there is a reason for that. You can comfort this family with the science of what is being studied now. I know I am writing this after the service but it is never too late to give them this info. I think they will find some comfort in knowing that he is not responsible for an act that is caused by something lacking in the brain. Our God\'s mercy and grace always prevails and for this I am forever grateful. ....dale, brandon\'s mom
http://www.npr.org/programs/death/980429.death.html