Recently my wife was very upset.  She was working in our guest bedroom and while taking off her sweater she felt an ear ring come loose from her ear and she heard a "click" as it fell - somewhere!  She immediately began to look but in the shag carpet she couldn't find it  This ear ring was very special to her - it had been a gift to her from her mother many years ago.  She looked and looked, and I looked and looked, but it seemed to be nowhere.  After several days she was just about to give up hope (we needed to vacuum as company was coming) but then she decided to pray one more time.  Then God showed up...

Roses are blooming now.  They are beautiful but I have to remind myself, when examining them, that there are also thorns.  One can enjoy the sight but if not careful a painful "stick" might be a part of the experience.  It reminds me that though life can be very beautiful there can be times of pain as well.  

There is a word that I'm hearing far too often these days.  It is a word that accompanies one of the most painful events that an individual or family can experience.  It is the word Suicide.  This word, it seems, is in the news (or a blog post) almost every day.  The incidence of suicide among military personnel is on the rise.  The incidence of suicide among students (college and high school) is on the rise.  The incidence of suicide among those recently retired is on the rise.  The incidence of suicide among those struggling with depression and grief is on the rise.  In short, the incidence of suicide is increasing at an alarming rate!  
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Prevention Is The Key
The reasons for suicide are many:  deep grief, overwhelming circumstances, isolation (feeling that no one really cares), humiliation (today often a result of being bullied or teased), loss of hope, anger and the need for revenge.  These, and other feelings all contribute to people reaching a decision that ending their on life is their only choice.  In a world where we have instant opportunity for communication through phones, social media, and email, there has never been a time when so many people have felt ignored, lonely, and afraid.  The numerous hours spent on electronic devices has not enhanced our sense of community; in fact is has contributed to a greater sense of isolation.  ​Many are asking the question:  What can we do?  Though this is not the place for a comprehensive discussion on suicide prevention, there are three practical things I think each of us can do...