Losing Life

I received a call on Friday night from a Student of mine that I hadn't heard from in a couple of months. Receiving a call from students normally has no reason for concern, but this one immediately for some reason I knew wasn't going to be pleasant.

After doing the small talk stuff, the conversation quickly moved from light hearted to tragic. There was a student named Taylor Grant who was a part of our youth group for about a year. He struggled with drugs and alcohol, and he was also bipolar. Taylor was well supported by his friends and even though he went to a few rehabs, was meeting with a psychologist, and had a loving mom and dad, he just couldn't seem to make very much progress.

His mom and dad decided to send him up to Utah where they admitted him into a school/rehab program. He was on the up and up, doing well and even made some plans for when he got out and was on his way home. Then on Friday night he committed suicide.

I recently found out that when people struggle with bipolar and they seek help, there is a 2 week period when they are beginning to balance back out that they are more susceptible to committing suicide than when they are not balanced. The reason why is because they tend to be so depressed that they don't have the energy to actually go through this, but when they become balanced that changes.

Tomorrow, Wednesday December 19th at 4 pm is the memorial service, and I am honored to be a part of it. Taylor was loved by many, and he often struggled with wanting to start a fresh new life, one that he wasn't on drugs and alcohol, a life that he was truly alive.

Taylor Grant, may the torment that you felt on this earth give way to the peace and harmony the new life you have found in the presence of the One who gives life. And may all of his friends know that the support and love that they gave him while he was on this earth was one of the most Christ like things that they could have ever done for him. It was only because of you that he found any relief from his struggles, you helped give him that rest.