I know many of us have lost childhood friends, some of them to suicide. Today I lost a childhood friend who I loved and cherished growing up. Jeff Mccandless and I maintained a digital pen-pal relationship for the last decade. I know he struggled with anger, and pain, and depression, but I also know he was a very caring and loving person. Jeff was one of the first to reach out to me when I lost Susan. In the midst of his struggles, he cared enough about me to reach out to me. I know he struggled with a God that loves us and yet allowed all of the troubles of this world. No doubt life is hard... for everyone. Even those people who think they have it all together, their trials will come. Today I am sad for Jeff's family and the struggles that lie ahead for so many who are much closer to this situation than I. I really dont claim to understand all of this. I do believe Jeff is at peace with the Lord, who forgives. The best I can do is to point you to our Father in heaven and to help you know how much He loves you. This was my last exchange with Jeff. I pray that someone might find peace in these words and be reminded that our role is not to judge, surely God will do that well enough for each one of us; ours is to love each other with the fullness that He gives each of us. "Thinking of you and praying for your family Jeff. I hope this helps give you strength: Ephesians 3:14-19 For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."
2019-06-10T02:11:53.000Z