By this time, though, trouble had developed on the home front. My parents were not getting along and my father was spending less and less time at home. By my senior year in high school, he made it official and moved out. In less than a year following my graduation, my family had fallen apart, our church had split, my girlfriend had broken up with me and my best friend had been killed in an automobile accident. Looking at my circumstances, things looked hopeless.
Unfortunately, that is exactly what I did – looked at my circumstances – to the extent that they were all I could see. The logic was, “I have no family, no church, and no close friends. I don’t matter to anyone. Life is worthless – so I’ll end it.”
Not to be unnecessarily graphic, I can tell you I got far enough in the plans to end my life that it was remarkably clear when God stepped in to stop me. These are not pleasant memories to recall. But, then, it overwhelms me to realize what God has
brought me through.
I do not remember who spoke at church the following Sunday, nor the title of his message, but I can recall what came through loud and clear from the heart of God. “You are important to Me. Regardless of what happens, you matter to Me”. Looking back, getting saved had been “simple”. But this growing up thing – Man, it nearly killed me! …literally!
