by Heidi Williams
Ecclesiastes 4:10 If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!
I am a survivor of sadistic child abuse and have lost a beloved sister and brother to suicide. Following my brother’s death, I struggled to get back on track, but only became more distressed; I began to think I would be the next one in the family to commit suicide. But I didn’t really want to die; so, I began to meet with Pastor Dan.
During one of my visits, he said that if he knew I was about to be drowned by thoughts of suicide, he would “throw” everything he owned to me so that I could hang on and not slip under the waves of despair. The counseling visits and email replies have been helpful through the years, but that statement truly touched me and stayed with me. The following day at work, I was having a hard time and went to get a drink of water. I felt my mind struggling to tread water, trying to keep my head above the swirling sea of hopelessness. As I grabbed a styrofoam cup, I remembered those words. I had a vision of several people appearing and throwing things toward me so that I could remain afloat. Moments passed, and it appeared they had exhausted all their resources when one of them said, “Wait, here are some styrofoam cups—they float! Let’s throw them in too cause we’re not giving up!”
I am so grateful that God is using many of you to help me, thank you for being one of my lifesaver styrofoam cups.
Prayer: Lord, thank You for giving me many brothers and sisters in Christ who support me. Please continue to penetrate my life, so that I will be able to help to others in their time of need.
Thank you Heidi for sharing from deep within your heart! Isn't it wonderful how God reveals His love for us, even in little ways such as styrofoam cups? He is all around us, we just need to stop and notice His goodness and love. May God bless you for blessing many others today!
ReplyDeleteWow Heidi, this is powerful! Thanks for sharing this. Praise God that he is continuing to bring you through this, restore you, and empower you to help others! I pray that the Church, and our local church, can be the support that God wants us to be in similar situations! He has called us all to that.
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