Suicide
I don’t know what a Kate Spade bag looks like and I only watched one episode of Anthony Bourdain’s CNN travel/food show. But yesterday I listened to 1A’s episode about Ms Spade and then heard the news today about Mr Bourdain’s death. Both of them committed suicide. I also heard a report yesterday on NPR about how suicide rates in the US are rising rapidly. I am grateful that, even during my periods of significant depression and anxiety, I never seriously contemplated suicide. But having gone through those periods in my life and knowing that I’ll probably have elements of that throughout my life, I have a deep resonance for people who are struggling to such a level as Ms Spade or Mr Bourdain or so many others whose names I may never know.
I took this picture yesterday while out on a walk. I was walking under an interstate overpass and this glint of light shining between the two directions of traffic really hit me. It was a dark and dank place under that overpass - a start contrast to the green beauty of the park that was all around there. But there in that dark place was the light shining down and shining through.
Yesterday’s passage I read came from Philippians 4:8 -
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of respect, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if something is excellent or praiseworthy, think about these things.
That passage and this picture came to my heart this morning when I heard about Mr Bourdain. I pray that I can be one who can help bring that light to people who are struggling in what may feel like inescapable darkness. I pray that I can help them see the beauty and wonder that is there in life and that light can shine in the darkness, even if it is only a glint like in this picture. I pray that I can be Jesus to them as others were to me when I was struggling