Romans 8:38-39 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our LORD.
This scripture brought needed comfort, as many friends and family gathered on an exceptionally warm January morning to honor the life of Glen Collins. Glen`s cremated remains sat in an 8" by 10" vessel front and center for all to witness. Glen was the last of his immediate family to be buried in the family plot in Bethel Cemetery, Chesapeake City, Maryland. In Glen`s 56 years on this earth, he buried his mother, his father and only brother, all who`s untimely deaths were claimed by the dreaded C word, cancer.
No, cancer didn`t bring Glen to an early grave; hopelessness and pain in his heart and soul were the victors. Just days before Christmas, in the privacy of his bedroom, Glen shot himself. My sister, Joyce reminded me, that the holidays were always tough for him; the burden was more than he was prepared to withstand. Glen became a member of the one in a million family; the number of people worldwide that take their lives yearly. He also joined the 32,000 per year in the United States that commit suicide; 80 people a day. Not to mention the 1500 unsuccessful daily attempts.
Glen was a great guy that would always lend a hand where he was needed and friend to many; he was also a lost soul in a cruel world of bondage, stronghold of lies and addictions. Many concluded that he just never got over the childhood death of his best friend, his mom. He just kind of wondered from place to place, person to person, never truly finding happiness or feeling worthy of living. Perhaps there where coping skills that he never learned because of his mom`s early death, who knows??
By holding onto unmet expectations of life rooted in pain, trauma, anger, bitterness. rejection and resentment had Glen unknowingly partnered with lies of deceit from the great deceiver, Satan. Had he grieved the loss and separation caused by death of loved one, or had he denied his spiritual growth and healing. Stuffing the pain deep inside of his tormented torso, creating a ticking time bomb. Was Glen held in bondage by strongholds and lies that clouded his thinking? Apparently, he had come to believe that no one cared if he lived or died! That just wasn`t true! Everybody loved Glen, everybody but Glen!
Glen really never traveled from home, as a child he and his family lived on the north side of a small town separated by the C and D canal. Today, as a gigantic eagle posted guard atop a naked January tree, Glen Collin`s was laid to rest in Bethel Cemetery on the south side with his beloved family.
Psalm 103:2-5 Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits----who forgives all you sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle`s.
Father God, I pray for Glen`s remaining family and friends, as they struggle to understand why he just didn`t reach out to one of them! Father God, is that how you feel about us, why don`t they let me help them! Father, I pray that you will use Glen`s death to bring truth and validity to your saving grace, love and mercy to all; the north side, the south side of Chesapeake City and around the world. Father God, I pray for all the families of suicide victims. I pray that if you or someone you love is tormented by suicidal thoughts, please get help.....God unconditionally loves each and everyone of His precious children. His love will gently restore you to perfection, JUST ASK FOR HIS HELP!
Father God, I pray that you will continue to direct my steps, open my eyes and ears to those who are hurting and in need of your healing mercy and grace. Father, send me, I will go! I know the pain of loss, the stronghold of lies and bondage of addiction. I pray that your are preparing me for your ministry of healing----physically, heart and soul. Yearly, one million people in this world commit suicide, my heart aches, they need you, Father God!
Romans 8:31-32 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us , who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all----how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things.
I pray that Glen has found peace in an eternal home. Amen
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