VITAL STATISTICS
His name was Joe but that’s all that I really knew about
him; sad to say that I didn't know nor inquired to know what his last name was.
He worked outside as a car detailer at my job and his age range was between 50 –
60 years old, a white-haired, lanky and very respectful Caucasian gentleman. He was always smiling and although I do
believe that the smile was genuine, I could tell that he was masking something
else. In fact I was just thinking the
other day about how I needed to have my car detailed and that I would throw him
a few bones – that is how he made his some side money.
him; sad to say that I didn't know nor inquired to know what his last name was.
He worked outside as a car detailer at my job and his age range was between 50 –
60 years old, a white-haired, lanky and very respectful Caucasian gentleman. He was always smiling and although I do
believe that the smile was genuine, I could tell that he was masking something
else. In fact I was just thinking the
other day about how I needed to have my car detailed and that I would throw him
a few bones – that is how he made his some side money.
Here at the job we knew that he would sometimes binge on whatever but he was one of the hardest
workers at his age and frailty. Up act
the crack of light in the heat of the sun or the blistering cold or the pouring
rain – all climates, no matter the thermometer going up or below – he was here
working. I felt for him because no one
should have to work that hard to live so meagerly – life itself is hard but to live hard is another thing. Although
I thought it was a blessing that when his roommate had died and he was in need
of a place to stay, the company offered him a small apartment on the property
that was atop an old office building.
All Joe had to do was walk out of his back door, down the steps, walk a
few short paces and he was at his job.
No commuting; which was good because he didn't have a vehicle. The coffee was ready for him in the mornings
and he worked at his own pace. To some
they would see it as a stress less life – To him he saw what was the point of
going on in this life and this past Sunday, Joe committed suicide by hanging
himself from the banister of the very steps he trotted down each morning to
come to work. He just made up his mind
that he was going to do it, called our General Manager and told him that he had
made the noose and that it was in his hands and proceeded to do it while the
General Manager was still on the line pleading for him not to do it.
workers at his age and frailty. Up act
the crack of light in the heat of the sun or the blistering cold or the pouring
rain – all climates, no matter the thermometer going up or below – he was here
working. I felt for him because no one
should have to work that hard to live so meagerly – life itself is hard but to live hard is another thing. Although
I thought it was a blessing that when his roommate had died and he was in need
of a place to stay, the company offered him a small apartment on the property
that was atop an old office building.
All Joe had to do was walk out of his back door, down the steps, walk a
few short paces and he was at his job.
No commuting; which was good because he didn't have a vehicle. The coffee was ready for him in the mornings
and he worked at his own pace. To some
they would see it as a stress less life – To him he saw what was the point of
going on in this life and this past Sunday, Joe committed suicide by hanging
himself from the banister of the very steps he trotted down each morning to
come to work. He just made up his mind
that he was going to do it, called our General Manager and told him that he had
made the noose and that it was in his hands and proceeded to do it while the
General Manager was still on the line pleading for him not to do it.
Why is it that some see blessings in this life – while others
see a reason to call it quits?
see a reason to call it quits?
What bothers me most about this tragedy and disturbs my
spirit is a question that just keeps repeating in my mind, “Why couldn't he
find the one who can always be found?”
God is omnipresent and omnipotent – But we have the choice of “will we
trust him or won’t we.” I will never
doubt the fact that God had revealed himself as God to Joe, as he has to each
of us. The choice was up to Joe.
spirit is a question that just keeps repeating in my mind, “Why couldn't he
find the one who can always be found?”
God is omnipresent and omnipotent – But we have the choice of “will we
trust him or won’t we.” I will never
doubt the fact that God had revealed himself as God to Joe, as he has to each
of us. The choice was up to Joe.
Suicide – We have all thought about it; visited the idea, if
only but for a brief moment of time, and perhaps vowed to never revisit or
entertain the thought or notion ever again – We have allowed life all by itself
to make us consider and contemplate ending life itself; to take your own life,
into your own hands. Sort of like a life
devoid of a relationship with Christ – It’s totally suicidal.
only but for a brief moment of time, and perhaps vowed to never revisit or
entertain the thought or notion ever again – We have allowed life all by itself
to make us consider and contemplate ending life itself; to take your own life,
into your own hands. Sort of like a life
devoid of a relationship with Christ – It’s totally suicidal.
I had a brief stint at working for Vital Statics and most
would be alarmed and disturbed at the amount of suicides that take place. I had the disappointment of entering death
records. Many of the death certificates
were of people committing suicide and until then, I had no idea the rate it was
happening. Suicide is real. Depression
is real. Mental illness is real. Heartbreak is real. Life is real.
Life without trusting God to bring you through is as real as you can
get!
would be alarmed and disturbed at the amount of suicides that take place. I had the disappointment of entering death
records. Many of the death certificates
were of people committing suicide and until then, I had no idea the rate it was
happening. Suicide is real. Depression
is real. Mental illness is real. Heartbreak is real. Life is real.
Life without trusting God to bring you through is as real as you can
get!
A part of me totally understands Joe because I heard about
his passing in passing conversation. No one even mentioned his death as a loss
– a loss to the company or the loss of another person because life had become
too much for them, but it could
easily be any of us but for God’s Grace.
his passing in passing conversation. No one even mentioned his death as a loss
– a loss to the company or the loss of another person because life had become
too much for them, but it could
easily be any of us but for God’s Grace.
No one really cared and he felt it and he knew it. They key to this life is not fretting over
whether someone cares about you but rather to KNOW that God cares about
you. The company we work for didn't miss
one beat and stayed right on schedule, we didn't shut down for the day or for
an hour; or even a moment of silence for the deceased that had died just a few
feet away. We pause and pray for
Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings but not for a lost soul. So what are we truly thankful for, if we are
not caring about another one of God’s children?
whether someone cares about you but rather to KNOW that God cares about
you. The company we work for didn't miss
one beat and stayed right on schedule, we didn't shut down for the day or for
an hour; or even a moment of silence for the deceased that had died just a few
feet away. We pause and pray for
Thanksgiving and Christmas gatherings but not for a lost soul. So what are we truly thankful for, if we are
not caring about another one of God’s children?
The choices that I have made has increased my life’s load and
burdens, but no matter how far I have fallen – Christ was there for me to hold
onto, and he has always restored me to glory; that is where I find my trust… In
his faithfulness. Not taking grace in
vain but recognizing and worshiping and honoring the fact that he does Love
Me! In spite of me! He just loves me and
when you think about that kind of love – who wouldn't want to worship that God?
burdens, but no matter how far I have fallen – Christ was there for me to hold
onto, and he has always restored me to glory; that is where I find my trust… In
his faithfulness. Not taking grace in
vain but recognizing and worshiping and honoring the fact that he does Love
Me! In spite of me! He just loves me and
when you think about that kind of love – who wouldn't want to worship that God?
The Show of Life goes on be it, in this life or the next –
it continues on. And that is the beauty
of life; once God gives you the gift of it – it keeps on going.
it continues on. And that is the beauty
of life; once God gives you the gift of it – it keeps on going.
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