Suicide It'sTime To Clean The Gutters 6/9/2018

Good Morning,

My cup of Door County Jamaican Blue Mountain Blend Coffee is steaming next to me. I will need another hot cup later after my chores for the day are complete.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Late last night I heard the rumble of thunder and saw a few lightening flashes brighten the night with their power. Not everyone enjoys a good rain, with some thunder and lightening. But to me I see God's power and his ability to water a dry land.  The short storms have now weakened to just being a semi steady rain. I was awakened by our dog Gibbs at 4:45AM. He wanted to go outside and then wanted his morning food.

I begrudgingly accommodated his persistent nose nudges against the bed and shuffled to the door to let him out. That's when I saw that our one pain in the butt rain gutter was filled and spilling out on  to the sidewalk. I have been living on borrowed time with that one gutter. Usually by now it requires cleaning out from the spring foliage droppings from our white birch tree. Spring came late and it was only a matter of time before the annual calamity happens.

So later I will haul out the ladder, hose and trash pail to clean the muck from the gutters. I thought about the chore long and hard this morning. It won't take me long and while I am at it, I will check the rest of the gutters for debris. They usually do not need any attention at all, just this one gutter gets the attention it needs.

Gutters are like people, particularly that one family member, friend, or co-worker who if not given a little more attention can act up and require more attention than normal. Now this gutter needs some help and has cried out by spilling onto the sidewalk causing ponding on the property. Not stopping all of  my other chores and diverting my energy to the need of the attention starved gutter will cause long lasting damage to the house and property.

Some people are wired to need more attention than others. I have tried gutter covers, but they did not work and made the cleaning more difficult. We cannot just cover up our attention getters with fake attention. Their own personal crisis seems like something they should be able to handle on their own, but they reach out and spill their needs into other lives. Friends, that's just how they are wired. They might be looking for companionship during a time of doubt or fear. They might need reassurance that you are there for them.

It is important that we take time to build up, clean off, and repair our friends, co-workers, or family in their times of struggle or depression. These times of needing attention, if left unchecked or repaired can have consequences that often cannot be repaired. The thoughts of giving up are too common in many folks and are often indulged with thoughts of suicide and in some instances acted upon. There is no return from suicide and it is the answer to problems that is only presented as an option by Satan.

God knows who He placed into our lives and has equipped us with the ability to help. He has given us two ears to listen with, two eyes to see with, a mouth that talks, and a brain with intelligence. The Holy Spirit lives within the Christian heart and leads us toward compassion and understanding. We can't just ignore those in need whom God has placed into our lives.

We can be preemptive and avoid some of the calls of crisis by staying in touch, letting our dear ones know that they are needed and that they can carry on despite what they believe is possible. Notes of encouragement, a text message of hope, a phone call, a meal or time spent with them might be what is needed. Prayer time and reinforcing God's message of love to people crying out for attention and by sharing Scripture passages of hope are imperative in combatting the needs these people God has gifted us with.

Here are some passages of encouragement you might be able to use.

 

When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.

Isaiah 43:2

 

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9

 

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.

Deuteronomy 31:8

 

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:28

God bless, and be a blessing to others today.

Marty