Good morning…
Yesterday was a magical day and night.
For Christmas, I gave my sister from Ohio a trip to Atlanta to join me for Kay Warren’s talk at Peachtree Road Methodist Church. After a full day of crazy flying delays, Cathy finally arrived yesterday morning just in time for us to change clothes, hop in the car, and meet up with Kay and a small group of event organizers. After our delightful lunch, Kay signed my Choose Joy book, a torn and tattered treasure, well used for many years. The book I had given my sister also bears Kay’s signature now.
The 5:00 pm gathering at the church was filled with people I love. A row of women from our Wednesday class and several from our Thursday group, our Sunday group, our long-time writers’ group, and our Mission Circle from Northside Church. Old friends from Lovett, great friends from Peachtree Road, and couples we have known for years. The large room was full of fantastic people. What joy!
As the keynote speaker for the “Stand Up and Speak Out” Suicide Prevention Summit, Kay spoke about the excruciating experience of losing their 27 year old son, Matthew, to suicide in 2013. Kay was real. Kay was vulnerable. Kay’s tears were given a Kleenex. Kay spoke of the importance of talking honestly about the once-taboo topics of mental health and suicide, especially in our churches.
Kay taught us about The Hope Circle. There are toxic thoughts we repeat to ourselves as we spiral away from health. “I hate myself.” “I don’t matter.” “I don’t fit in.” “I want to give up.” “I feel useless.” These self-destructive lies can be overcome by the power of lasting truth. God’s voice says, “You are loved.” “You have purpose.” “You belong.” “You have choice.” “You are needed.” The Hope Circle welcomes the love of God into our daily struggles. Grounding ourselves in God’s restorative presence, might Psalm 62:5 gradually comes alive in our lives?
Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.
Speaking very selectively now, Kay came out of her writing sabbatical to join us yesterday. She is writing her next book on grief, which she admits “is really, really hard.” Kay doesn’t know the book title yet, but I know I will eventually get myself a copy to rest beside my beloved, hand-signed copy of Choose Joy: Because Happiness Isn’t Enough.
“For my sister Sue,” Kay wrote in my book. “With joy, Kay Warren. Ps. 126:5.” Now up in the middle of the night, I check out the Scripture verse cited.
Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy.
Gracious God, please help your eternal wisdom to come true in our torn and tattered lives.
…Sue…
