I was horrified while watching the news Saturday night when I heard about a daughter who walked into her mother's hospital room and shot and killed her mother, then turned the gun on herself. For those of you who live in the area, you heard this story, too. As it turns out, the mother was terminally ill and her daughter was taking care of her. The daughter left a suicide note behind stating how stressed she had been taking care of her mom and how she could not continue to see her mother suffer. At 5:30am Saturday morning, the daughter ended both of their lives.
All I could think about was how sad it must be to feel as if you have no hope left. In my own life, I've had a few hopeless moments when I didn't feel like there was a way out of my circumstances. It seems as if during those moments, I've always encountered someone who gave me a bit of hope, mostly through their words of encouragement, support or by simply saying, "I'll pray for you." Those people helped me see there was a light at the end of the tunnel and someone else around who help me "bear my burden."
Romans 12:12 says, "I rejoice and exult in hope; I'm steadfast and patient in suffering and tribulation; constant in prayer." Being patient in our suffering makes no sense to me, does it to you? But when we do, we get God's attention. He sees we are serious about our relationship and our commitment to Him. If there is one thing He gives us through our trials, it is hope.
I wondered if there was anyone in this daughter's life to give her hope? Was there anyone around who spoke words of encouragement to her? Did she have a Christian neighbor who offered to cook meals and make things easier for her and her mother during this time? Was there anyone around to pray for her? We never know who we will encounter from one day to the next who needs a glimmer of hope in their life. Be that person today.
3 comments:
This was such a tragic event. I have wonder the same things you have... and I also wonder who near me is suffering and I am too busy to notice. May the Lord open our eyes to see the opportunities before us to minister to others.. and may we slow down and do it! Barbara Campbell
This was a tragic event but from what I understand, the mother had another daughter who had come to help but the distraught daughter refused her help.
I hate to hear about this. I live here, but I don't often watch the news. It can be so depressing. I do try to be aware of events though. I can't believe I missed this one. Terrible that she was so alone - or at least that she FELT so alone.
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