I’ve written about this before. We don’t want to talk about it, and we really don’t like to listen to others talk about it. I’m talking about suicide. There’s no easy way to talk about suicide. Unfortunately, suicide comes into many conversations these days. I suppose it’s not surprising with the way our society is spinning out of control. But I’d rather not go there especially now when so much is against us. But this is the month that gives me an appropriate pause, for my sister took her own life in September. My family didn’t expect it nor did they expect how it would change our lives. There’s no going back after a suicide.

Remember Robin William and His Suicide

I’m not a movie buff, but I saw enough of Robin William’s acting to know there was something extraordinary about him and his acting. His will made his suicide became one of those tragic losses you remember and don’t forget, like Princess Di in a car crash and President Kennedy when he was shot. The upset about William’s death left a residual impact on a family, school, community, nation, and world. Suicide has a ripple effect that touches everything in its path.

My Family’s Impact from a Suicide

My family was a devout family of Christian believers. Suicide touched us all. I now rarely think of my sister nor think of how we lost her. It doesn’t take much, though, and my mind hitches a ride back to her death by suicide and exactly how much it affected me and my family. There are no words. I can’t tell you exactly how awful it is to lose your loved one by their own hand. My sister was beautiful, talented, and successful woman. Her life touched many lives. The sorrow of her death almost buried us. Disbelief and sadness engulfed our days as we traveled to Oregon to say goodbye, bury. to her. It’s a terribly harsh thing, even now.

Even My Kids Couldn’t Help but Be Sidelined

My children were also impacted by Lois’s death. She was their ‘fun’ aunt, always bringing them kid-friendly gifts. The oldest ones especially didn’t understand. How could they? My oldest daughter tried to comfort me, which I appreciated more than I can say. And my oldest son was tried and true in his understanding of the situation. We all hurt. We all grieved. We all wished she was still here with us. My parents are now free of her death since they have gone to heaven and are now with their everlasting Savior. I believe Lois is with them. I will always miss her for as long as I live.

Learn and Grow: Never Stop–No Matter What

I have found peace in my own way. About ten years after Lois’s death, I asked God to heal me of the hurt in my heart that was associated with her passing. Eventually, the pain lifted, peace entered, and sorrow lessened. Publicly, I share now since I know it will help others feel less alone in their suffering. At least I can say good things came as a result of her passing. We are more demonstrative that we used to be. We have become more compassionate and understanding, less set in our ways and less rigid. We show more concern and emotion than we did before we lost my sister. We are a changed people. We have learned how God truly uses our past heartaches as a way to bring comfort to others during their times of misfortune.

Here’s a Remarkably Genuine Thought You Can Take with You

God can, will, and wants to help you deal with your problems, troubling stuff, and everything and anything that matters. God is here. He wants to help you. You may feel alone but you are not. The problems may be overwhelming which would be no surprise, but He always welcomes you. I know God will help you. No matter what, he is always with you. God always and abundantly cares. Call out to him. He is so interested in you and your life. You can’t surprise Him. His arms are ready to give you a great big hug. I must tell you, though. He waits till just the right time to answer your call. But don’t worry, he will answer you and at just the right minute.

Until later,

Norma

My world fell apart when my husband left me. I knew I needed something to help fill the bill. My brother was in a book dinner, so I asked him about it. Then I told my friends, of whom I thought might be interested. I’m fairly quiet so I didn’t actually know who would be interested. I told the women about it; that we would only read Christian books, a wide variety, and stay away from the so-called romantic types cuz they were other than I was seeking.

Discovering The Book Dinner Together

Of course they were surprised. We had ten show up that first meeting. One woman always read by herself, only coming to an infrequent meeting, but I never forgot her. We met like four times a year. The first years were always in the evening. I was working and it worked best that way. Everyone brought something for the meal. The person hosting the meal. made the main dish. The others brought the salad(s), bread, and desert. We had a delightful time together. Everyone enjoyed the eating and rivalry. Then we went to the living room. There we discussed the book. It’s main points, It’s charge to us, and the things that individually spoke to us. I especially enjoyed this part.

I Learned What They Liked

I learned what kind of books the women liked and didn’t like. Fortunately, all of us liked most of the books, which meant something since I was the person who picked most of the books we read. I didn’t pick only my favorites, I picked what I knew they would like. But even though that was the case, I couldn’t pick them all to find favor with the women. Speaking of women, we had a few that joined for awhile and then decided it wasn’t for them. Which was quite all right.

Beyond The Obvious

Last year I told the women that I was quitting, though they could still meet if they wanted to. I was going to have a nice fancy dinner for the last meeting. But I got sick, and we didn’t have a final meeting. I miss the ladies. I really, really do miss them a lot. Yesterday, while I was talking to one of the ladies, I told her my secret. I want to see everybody again!!! I miss them. Their friendship meant so much to me. You feel lonely when you don’t have a husband. I’ve been walking this road alone for almost twenty-three years. The book ladies made it an easier path by being there with me. Some have lost their husbands, and they feel the same about it.

The Ladies Mean A Lot To Me

If you read this and you are one of the ladies…you’ll be hearing from me fairly soon! I can’t wait to see you again. It’s been too, too long. You are the best! Love to all. For now. Norma

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Following looks a lot like trailing. We’re trailing behind, following the leader, definitely not leading nor leading the pack. We don’t know where we’re going, or if we do know where we’re going, we don’t know the way or have the chops for it. We may be afraid of getting lost, of snakes and poison ivy or worse. We know it will be an arduous journey till we get there. Oh man, we’re dreading it cuz we’re faint of heart.

Maybe you’re made of sterner stuff, and that’s commendable. Still, there are situations where you must follow a lead, though you’d rather do it yourself.. We shouldn’t think too highly of ourselves, but we need strong people to lead. However, they also must rely on instruments to get them or the group where they want to be. They still have to follow, in some respects. An effective leader must first learn to be a willing follower. A good follower becomes a good leader.

So, what does ‘following’ actually mean in the grand scheme of things.

Pacing

Pacing means a great deal in following, then we don’t get ahead of ourselves. We know our place, said in the current vernacular–our lane, our spot, where we thrive, bless, and are fully secure. This, our lane, will change as we change. It’s boundaries are fluid, always expanding or decreasing as we understand new concepts and embrace healthier lifestyles. We learn to maintain a constant state of being. Pacing means that we have balance in our lives. We’ve modulated our impulses, instead of our impulses driving us.

Surrender becomes a frequent occurrence, that is, if we are surrendering to the right things. Sometimes, we choose to bless by giving, which may include giving up getting our way for the sake of harmony and unity. I will insert a small disclaimer here, we must know what is at stake, should we give in, where the giving in would actually cause someone else to be irresponsible.

Following Christ’s Lead

Following Christ in not optional. Following Christ involves our will, which involves our daily stuff, which involves sacrifice, surrender, and obedience. “My yoke is easy, and My burden is light,” the Word tells us. We know this. It also involves blessedness, peacefulness, and belovedness as we enjoy the fruits of what God has for us in our faithfulness. It’s almost too much to grasp. My mind swims in awe of this reality.

Our love increases as our love for Christ increases. Remember playing ‘Follow the leader’ in grammar school? You mimicked the leader as you followed the leader in a line behind them. With Christ as our leader, we follow His wisdom and truth, which is always contemporary with society. We become ‘love’ to others since Christ’s Presence manifests itself in us. Let that thought grab you.

The Boldness in Following

Christ’s life in us speaks loudly. Why are we kind, truthful, helpful, gracious and caring? Christ. Christ in us. If we aren’t living His way, we’re not fully following the Leader. You should pause and take inventory every once in a while. “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come” (John 16:13). We have a Helper in this task of following Christ. The Spirit of truth guides us into all truth.

Although following is not an easy task, it’s doable. Just keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. Let Christ’s Life and Word thoroughly wash in and through you. Imagine this. Christ and His Spirit becoming real in you. The Holy Spirit is alive. He speaks through you. His words become our words when we let Him have the use of our tongue in combination with our following Christ. This actually is an amazing concept.

We have power through the Spirit’s enabling. Think about it. You, as a Christian, have the Holy Spirit within you at this moment in time. He is there, in you; alive and well, in you. Helping you. Guiding you. Releasing His love in you. He is ministering to you, in you, and from you outwardly to others. Embrace what you have been given. Allow Him to have control of your life. Give God access to the throne of your life. The Three-in-one work together in you.

A mighty fortress is our God.

Let God help Himself to your life. Where are you holding back? Where are you weak or timid? What have you failed to grasp? God’s love? God’s acceptance? God’s healing? Tell God what you don’t get. Let Him enlarge it in you and break the barriers to accessing His truth. Confess what needs confessing. Let Him probe your heart to its innermost chambers. Write down what he shows you. Keep it as a reminder. I apply this to myself, as well.

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Now for a treat. I’ve been collecting positive stories for a while. I decided to share some of them with you. So, I leave you with this simple story seen on Twitter, 2020, written by A. White.

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A Positive Heartwarming Story by A. White

“When I was 4 years old, my mom had to stop by the station with me in tow.

Just as my mom started to turn left into a hallway, I saw him. Real. Live. In person. Mr. Rogers. DEAD AHEAD! I did not follow my mom, but bolted to my sweater-clad hero. I wrapped myself around his legs, sitting on his feet and screamed at full volume, MISTER ROGERS! I LOVE YOU!

My mother was mortified. But do you know what that saint of man did? He peeled me off his legs while sitting down on the floor next to me. And screamed, just as loud as I did, “AND I LOVE YOU, TOO!”

And to this day, I believe he meant it. Because that’s who Fred Rogers was: Loving.

When he found out my mom and (then) step-dad had a quiet courthouse wedding, he threw them a shower at the station because he said every marriage should be celebrated.

He genuinely was every bit of what you saw on TV.

Share this post with someone who might be blessed by it.”

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Go with God.