The Battle Belongs to the Lord! Yesterday I received a phone call from a mother of a young man who had recently begun to attend CR. He had been working his recovery through AA and many other meetings having put 11 years between him and jail and on a Journey with God who he loved. He was helping his girlfriend through her struggles and towards God and in the short time with us, brought friends of his to meetings. He started attending church and was going to our Men's Monday night Step Study. Unfortunately, according to his mother, last Tuesday, life was just too overwhelming for him and he took his life.
I know many, myself included, have been wondering what could we have done differently? After soul searching, I believe that sometimes we do everything we need and can do, but sometimes it is just between a person and God and faith and hope. I am proud of how you have all stepped forward from the beginning to make him feel part of the group which is why he kept coming back. I watched several of you go out of your way to say hi at church and include him. I watched the men take him under their wing. I want to encourage each of us to continue to pray for his family and for his girlfriend.
This is the reason why it is so important to attend meetings - not just for your recovery, but for those who need the encouragement and support of others - it's not about us, but about them. That's why I visit those in jail and encourage you to write. Jesus said in Matthew 25:37-40 "...Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." Sometimes it just a matter of listening. I want each of you to know that he is safe in the arms of Jesus and I am so grateful to have known him for such a short time.
Robin,
ReplyDeleteYour posting is perfect and very helpfull to me. Ron possessed a caring and soft soul.
He had asked me to help him by speaking to trouble kids he knew, but we never got it set up.
John Davidson, Richard Miles and I talked with him Sunday at the Journey Service and we invited him to attend Mens 12-Step on Monday Night. He came to our meeting and was quiet most of the evening. He stayed with us and prayed with us until the meeting was over.
This is a very sad loss and I want to try and redouble my efforts to help understand the perspective of all people who are hurting.
God Bless
Steen
Thank you Robin for all the information. It saddens me too to think I could have done something to prevent all of this sadness with Ron and Wendy. But, in my thought process, I have to remember that each of us has our own path to walk - regardless of who is there to help us. Thank you for showing us CR and being there for us. I feel blessed to know that I have God and with Him, ANYTHING can be faced in my life.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately life was taken too short... I too wish i could have talked more, or even LISTENED more, but ive come to grips that each person has theyre thoughts, their hurts, and sadly their pains... All we can do now is remember a life, and never take forgranted what other peoples battles are... Im blessed to have known him, and thankful for the gentle reminder that he left with me... That no matter what God is never to big enough to handle anything... I pray that he is with the Lord now... and will continue to pray for his family and Wendy's well being...
ReplyDeleteI too am overwhelmed by the saddness of this news. I too feel like I didn't do enough. I too will miss him. I too am very grateful for the strength of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I am very proud and honored to be part of this amazing group.
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