My Friend
Last Saturday I spoke at one of my best friend’s funeral. He had committed suicide. He was a Viet Nam vet and had never really gotten over his time during that war. We had been friends since I was about 12 years old and had stayed in touch all through the years.
I will miss our long talks about life, religion, and memories we shared of once being young and foolish. I was glad that I was able to share with him how incredible God’s love is for all of us regardless of our performance. My friend struggled a great deal with some things that happened during that war and he always lit up when I would come to visit and talk about God’s unconditional love.
His bible was always filled with small pieces of paper marking places that he had been studying. He never failed to have a list of questions he wanted me to answer. Unfortunately I was not able to ease his inward pain. He suffered his entire adult life and I guess he finally decided he couldn’t suffer any more. I am glad for him now, because his questions are finally answered and I believe with all my heart that God’s perfect love has healed him of all his wounds, both physically and mentally.
I felt honored to speak at his funeral. He was my friend and God knows the love I felt for him. It is during such times that I am more convinced then ever that love supercedes all else. I don’t know what God has instore for us once we leave this body, but I do know we are in good hands and have nothing to fear.
So, I say thank-you to God for giving me this friend who taught me so much.
Cliff, so sorry to hear this. He must have been terribly troubled. My brother-in-law has struggled with the after-effects of the VietNam war for all of his adult life. I understand that there are more VietNam vets who have committed suicide than were killed in the war. War is awful. Its effects last for ions. I hate it and I too am a VietNam vet. I pray for peace for all of his family and friends.
I truly think that the only message that can put an end to war is the one of bold unlimited grace.
Last night I listened to a guy at work go on how we should just carpet bomb Iraq into submission, killing all of the civilians as well, to put down insurgencies. He was bragging about his dad being a veteran of a certain Airborne Division and how mean (he used that word) they are. God I hope that kind of thinking never back fires on America.
I agree Steve. I have changed my opinions of war a great deal over the years. There just has to be a better way. Thanks for your words, I know they come from experience and wisdom and I really respect what you have to say.
I was teaching school when my draft notice came in 1968. My wife was expecting our first child. The board deferred my induction until May when school was over. May came and went. I have never to this day heard anything from the draft board. Thanks to God that I didn’t have to go and be a part of that awful experience. I, too, have known those who suffer still as a result of it. May peace break out all over the world! May God ease the loss for your friend’s family….
Sorry to hear about your friend cliff.A good friend of mine attempted to do the same thing a couple of weeks ago but they saved him just in time.
I’m glad you where close to your friend cliff.
kenneth.
The torment caused by men thinking they know what the world needs….
I can only put that kind of pain in one place, before G-d. I just want to say that I hold you and him, in my heart.
Cliff,
I don’t know how I missed this post before. I’m sad about your friend and I know there can be so much stigma, horror, and unanswered questions around suicide. I also know that each of us live out the number of days that God gives us and truly, a life can’t be taken, it is God Who decides the time of every death and He Who allows the circumstance that brings that death about. He, above all, understands your friend’s pain and it is He Who took Him and He Who will put an end to that pain. He will heal your pain as well.
Pam
Thanks to all for the kind comments.
Pam, I think you are so right about God being in charge and that he above all else understands our pain.