I had a different post lined up for today but due to a very recent tragedy I decided to change it.
I had two very close friends growing up. We ended up going to college together. They ended up marrying sisters. Our kids are the same ages and we have spent a lot of time together as families. Our kids are now best friends as well. It is beautiful and something quite rare, I think.
One of those families recently lost a child to suicide. We are all broken. It’s awful. We hurt.
So instead of writing a post on another topic, I figured I’d share my previous post on suicide awareness. I had shared a beautiful prayer offered by my Episcopal Church parish during September’s Suicide Prevention Week. It seems appropriate to repeat it: Suicide Prevention Week: A Prayer
I think it is also important to remember that we Christians are an Easter people. Many people were judged and crucified in antiquity. Only one was raised from that death. Easter changed everything. Christ’s resurrection was the start of a new creation. He was the new Adam, the first fruits of God’s kingdom – the new humanity.
It is Easter which gives us hope. It is Easter which testifies of God’s intention to set all things aright.
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.”
And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.”
Revelation 21:1-5 NRSV
Wheat & Tares 
Thank you Cody. As always your words have touched my heart . I love that scripture and that promise. My prayers and sympathy to your friends and family .
Thank you, Alice s.
God bless your dear and beloved friends, and help them to be comforted by the love of God and those around them who witness of that love through their actions. God bless all our little ones vulnerable in their sensitivity. God bless us that we may be instruments of His love.
Thankyou for this beautiful scripture. Thank God for new life in this dark hour, a witness of the eternal nature of Life.
A parent’s love is eternal.
I am so sorry to hear this and my heart goes out to all those impacted.
So very sorry for the pain. I wish I could say or do more but it all comes down to how awful I know it is and how sorry I am that people have to endure this kind of loss.
Thank you for the kind comments.
Thank you. It’s so hard to contextualize loss—and it’s something we have to do more often than we’d ever choose. May you and your friends find some comfort in this difficult moment.