The Official Writing Challenge
BACK TO
CHALLENGE
MAIN
INSTRUCTIONS
how it works
submission rules
guidelines for
choosing a level
ENTRIES
submit your entry
read current entries
read past entries
challenge winners
Our Daily Devotional HERE
Place it on your site or
receive it daily by email.


TRUST JESUS TODAY

  • Share
  • how it works
  • Submit
Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: Bon Voyage (09/05/05)
THE FINAL JOURNEY

His name was Mike and he committed suicide yesterday.

He’d had a hard life but to talk to him you’d never know it. He was one of those guys who always had a good joke to tell you. Some of them you could even repeat to your preacher.

There was something about him that kind of made you want to pal around with him. Like the feeling that you get about Alan Alda when he plays “Hawkeye” in the old M*A*S*H episodes. If nothing else he was what you’d call a natural born leader.

My wife and I have known him and his family for many years. You know how people will describe a good guy by saying something like “He’d give you the shirt right off of his back”? That was a perfect description of Mike. Many is the time that he would invite us over for shrimp roasts that he had sponsored on his own. If we needed anything, all we had to do was let him know and he’d take care of it.

I remember when his beloved mother died. We attended the funeral and after the grave side services, he came up to us to thank us for being there. You understand that we didn’t approach HIM. He took time out from mourning to approach US. He stuck his hand out to shake mine but I said “Sorry Brother, a handshake ain’t going to do it this time” and then I hugged his neck and wouldn’t let go until he did.

Christianity and suicide are like oil and water. They don’t mix. I was having a hard time getting my mind around all this so today I took a walk. In silent prayer I went to our Father and said “Almighty Father, You’re the one who makes all the decisions. Please take care of him as he starts this final journey to you.”

BON VOYAGE MIKE.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE

JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
This article has been read 1078 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
B Brenton
09/13/05
Very true. It doesn't "mix". All you can do is pray... but what if it's too late?
Thank you for this. It's wonderful and thought provoking.
Jan Ackerson
09/13/05
You did a good job painting a picture of Mike's personality.
sandra snider
09/14/05
there is an Old Testament verse that says, "Will not God do what is just and right?" Comfort yourself with that truth. Pastor and teacher Charles Stanley also writes this about suicide: "Many wonder if God would forgive suicide. Jesus took on all our sin at the Cross, and His grace covers our worst sins, even in death."
Marilyn Schnepp 
09/24/06
Oh Pauly. I can't type for tears streaming down my face. You're a master of the wordsmithing business! Loved this! Sorry to be filling your mailbox up today...but I can't get enough!
Edy T Johnson
09/30/06
You have written another beautiful tribute to a remarkable friend. I appreciate the perspective of Sandra's comment. Psalm 130 becomes my dwelling place in such times of grief: "If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But [there is] forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared. I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope." Thanks be to God for His mercy which endures forever.