In the darkness we wake to the beeping of the phone alarm. Hubs jumps up, puts on his running gear and hits the road. I find my way to the kitchen and do some stretching as the Keurig does it’s job. Now, don’t judge me I will get my walk in after the sun comes out a little. My patio peace is disturbed this morning by a very angry dog a block over. The crickets are ending their nightly serenade, and will peacefully hit the hay. Um seriously, I don’t know if crickets sleep!? I’ll have to google that. As I sip my one cup, my lips request another but my brain tells them NO, so I savor the very last drop. This is the beginning of the Pumpkin Spice cream flavor and will be hard for me to just drink my three cups of coffee a week. Each sip though savory is swallowed with a slight lump in my throat. My heart and mind have been flooded the past week or so with the overwhelming incidents of suicide that have happened in our area. Mind you more than one is overwhelming to me, let alone three over a two week period. Our small town again has endured another teenage suicide, making that five in a little over a year.

I wasn’t aware of the recent lost young life until another classmate shared her grief with me while at my part time job. Her mother had gotten her out of school early that day, her heart was broken over the suicide, and left her unable to focus, while wanting to be somewhat alone. As she browsed the store, her eyes met mine and we started a conversation. When meeting me, it’s hard not to have a conversation as I am guilty of longing to hear what you have to say, no matter who you are. Life is about relationships, and how will we build them if we don’t first look, second converse. While she talked I recognized she was at that familiar crossroad in life where a financially poor student must choose employment over education or try to do both. More often a young person without sufficient money sets out on the employment road settling for less than what they want. She talked of being a CNA (certified nursing assistant) but she didn’t realize my background of working in the retirement living scene for ten years. I have experience in the ups and downs of many CNA’s and built long lasting relationships with them, and my daughter is one. I gave her some words of encouragement as I recognized she was taking a quick fix route combining education with employment. I told her that one day I will be in need of good medical help and I hope she was the one caring for me. As her smiled brightened I told her that I needed her and that big smile to lift my spirits when I’m down, and to keep herself and her scrubs as neat and bright as her smile. I encouraged her to take good care of herself so that she doesn’t burn out quickly as a caregiver. When we talked of how unpleasant that a lot of facilities for elderly can become, I challenged her to be that one voice who would speak up to make changes. I told her she was my future, and I appreciated her becoming a CNA. Of course I hugged her, she hugged me back. As she left I hope I had lightened her load, and considered our meaningful conversation an investment in both of our future’s

This morning after reading my bible in 1 Timothy, I reflect on my conversation with the young girl. The Apostle Paul’s writings were aimed towards teaching, encouraging and challenging the next generation of believers, in their faith in Jesus Christ. We can use these letters/books today applying them to our lives and lives of our younger generation. Regardless of whether you have children of your own, you can take instruction from Paul, and turn your thoughts, your heart, your time and energy towards the youth of today.

Join me today as we look into the eyes of our younger generation. See their grief, their challenges and love them, encourage them and walk with them at the crossroads in their life. Invest in their future and yours by looking for ways to have meaningful conversations with them…..and don’t forget the hug.

“God, we look to your word as guidance, instructing us on ways we can encourage each other and our youth. Give us courage to start up those meaningful conversations, give us ears to hear and eyes to see those who are grieving, those who are trying to make it through hard times and those who stand at a crossroad unsure of which way to go. In Jesus name Amen.”