My Life in Our Father's World

Never Walk Alone

Last Saturday (September 28, 2024), I volunteered at the 3rd Annual Never Walk Alone event. It was “a suicide prevention and awareness walk hosted by the McHenry County Suicide Prevention Task Force… a non-competitive awareness walk, a chance to honor those who have died by suicide, and the opportunity to hear stories of healing and hope for the future…All funds raised at this event stay in McHenry County to support suicide prevention programs and support for survivors.“

To be honest, I didn’t know what to expect when I signed up to help with parking and route signage. I will be forever changed by the experience.

Before the walk began, the participants were able to get a snack or participate in some activities:

  • live music
  • rock painting
  • choosing beads
  • talking to grief counselors
  • petting the comfort dogs

I have lost count of the number of times that I cried that day. The stories that were shared by the friends and families of those who committed suicide were heartbreaking. I was dismayed by the number of families that have generational experience with suicide (father/son, uncle/niece, etc.) I have had people in my life who chose suicide and those who, for a time, were involved in self-harm behaviors. The pain of each can sometimes lead the survivors to commit suicide or self-harm themselves.

One thing I know for sure is that through my tears and the tears of others, God brought healing that day. No, it was not a church-sponsored event, but God cannot be limited by the labels we humans put on things. Though I experienced many feelings that day, I am thankful God allowed me to participate.

The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18 NIV

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. – Revelation 21:4 NIV

16 comments

  4. My small town here in the heart of the Colorado Rockies had a day 2 weeks ago where people got together in the park to pray and help with suicide prevention. They called it Hope Fest. They even had Colton Burpo show up with his dad. He was the little boy who the book “Heaven is for Real” was written about in his visit to heaven when he was 4 years old. One of the organizers actually took the training to become a counselor for https://www.groundwire.net/ They are a group reaching out to younger generations, who do everything on their phones, introducing them to Jesus. He said since he began, he has led more people to Jesus than he ever has before. He has been a Christian for over 40 years! Thank you for doing your part!

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