There is help for those hurting

Letter to the Editor,

Lately our community has had some very tragic stories to tell. Stories that no families should have to tell. It saddens me to no end each time I read one of them. Like many in this town, I wonder what I could have done that may have made a difference in someone’s life. So, this letter is what I came up with.

The people who know me best, know, I too have been one lost and looking for answers.

I, too, thought that I was helpless in changing a situation I saw as hopeless. I struggled with this for quite some time. Through the help of many, I realized it was just temporary and would change.

I found the support I needed by reaching out to professionals and my church.

The professionals helped me tremendously in learning why I do what I do, feel what I feel and how to deal with core issues.

My church helped me see that through my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, anything is possible. If I have Him, I shall not be afraid. And I can attest to the fact, I was afraid of everything.

As I read the stories in the papers, I couldn’t help but get the feeling that as a Christian, I am falling short of what is expected of me. I want so badly to help. But how do you help someone when you have no idea who they are?

I, first and foremost, want to say to anyone reading this, who may be struggling in any way, that they are not alone. There are people out there that care about you. Even if we may not know who you are. Please look for us!

I am writing this also as a challenge to other Christians in our area to reach out to anyone who’s in need. I know as a church, we take care of a lot of people. But I feel it is time for us to step out of our comfort zone and profess our faith to all.

I know I have regained my life and ended the depression and fear because of my Lord and Savior. He helped me find solutions to that in which I deemed as hopeless situations.

His grace shined on me when I most needed it. I am forever grateful for that. Now, I want to “pay His love and grace forward to others.”

For me, I need to make a statement. Not only  in this letter, but for everyone to see. I am going to do as the Bible instructs us in Luke 9:23...

“If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.”

That is exactly what I am going to do. I am going to put a cross in my front yard for everyone to see.

This I am doing as an outward symbol of where my heart lies. But also to proclaim that I have been one of those who was at their wit’s end, not knowing where to turn. But through Christ, I have learned the answers are there to be found. I simply had to search them out by searching Him out. I want to challenge my Christian friends to do the same.

If God has ever once helped you through a situation you saw as hopeless, give Him the glory He is due.

Take up your cross and place it in your yard for everyone to see. I know when I felt down and out and was searching for answers, realizing I was not alone, made a big difference to me. Let’s let others see that we too have felt the same as they do at one time or another.

Let’s use our outward symbol as an invitation for others to reach out to a church and let someone know who they are and what they are going through. To allow us to assist God in helping them find the answers.

I know if ever I had been driving down the road, feeling sad and wondering what on earth could I do.

If I suddenly saw a cross everywhere I looked, and not simply at the churches, I may have felt it was the answer I so desperately needed.

As a Christian, I know I have become somewhat complacent. But when seeing the tragic events recently unfold in our area, I have had to look at myself and my Christianity. I have seen that I need to do more.

I need to reach out and help lead others. But I realize to do so, I need to step outside of my comfort zone and make a bold statement.

If anyone drives by and sees my cross in my yard, please take it as an invitation to come to Christ.

Please see it as my admitting that I too was weak and suffering. But through taking up the cross, I have found the answers I so desperately sought. Please take the invitation to heart and walk through the doors of a church and let someone help you.

If someone is in crisis, they should seek out the help of a professional. But for those of you who may be struggling, feel lost or alone, we have started a help line. It is called Guiding Light Help Line.

We also have a Facebook page where we can visit with you and see what we can do to help.

It is a Christian help line and we find our answers in the Bible.

The help line number is 291-4023. The Facebook page is Guiding Light Help Line. Our e-mail address is guidinglighthelpline@yahoo.com.

If we can help or you simply need someone to talk to, please feel free to contact us.

— Sami Kleppe

Libby