Borrowed Courage

 My daughter's courage amazes me. Last summer, just a couple months after losing her closest brother she stepped up to let her pain and God's love touch others. She volunteered at a Young Life camp for a month. The summer staff of college students and work crew of high school students were there to serve for Him the middle school campers. Some of these kids had never heard of Christ, others felt they were way too cool for Christ, still others were afraid to trust and accept His unconditional love.

How powerful was the image of these young adults not only accepting His love but being willing to take time out of their busy lives to serve for an entire month. The example they set was most powerful. These leaders bravely stepped forward with 'Cardboard Testimonies' to share the heartaches Christ had walked them through. Each simple piece of cardboard held a personal hurt on one side and a way God blessed them on the other.

My brave Natalie put the pain her brother's suicide on that piece of cardboard and how God had walked beside her on the other. Her grief was raw, and it blows me away that she loved those kids enough to selflessly put her pain out there. Letting them glimpse into her broken heart and see that her strength came from the One who never left her side was such a gift.

Her hope was that Christ could become a real part of each of these youngster's lives so they didn't have to walk alone through life's hard moments. I was enormously proud of her last summer. Only God knows how many hearts were moved toward Him because of her willingness to be vulnerable and real.

Tomorrow, I am doing a 'Cardboard Testimony' in church. Tears fell as I practiced today. I am not confident that I have the courage it will take to walk up there and share with others that my son took his life. But I pray I can be as strong as my daughter and let others see how God has walked with me through this storm. Emmy has agreed to be there to support me and others will be praying. Natalie has set the example and God knows I can do this with Him at my side.

My card said:

        My Son's Suicide             
       
        Faith, Family & Friends


In Him,
Joyful
3-19-11

SS