R.I.P. Michael Frey.

I'm grieved to hear about the loss of a guy who went to my high school.
Tonight he took his life by shooting himself.
Sorry if that's too graphic, but I refuse to water down the reality that will eventually hit us all.......death.
Death is the only thing FINAL.

It's so very sad, and I'm praying for Michael's family and friends who will miss him dearly.
Granted, I didn't know him too well, but I do remember having some conversations with him every now and then.
He played baseball with my brother and I saw him around church every now and then.
Last thing I knew about him was that he planned on going into a military branch of some type.
I didn't know him too personally, but I know he was picked on severely growing up.
I know at one point he lived with his grandma.
I don't know if he had siblings...but I do know he probably felt alone..

I'm just upset.
I'm upset that bullying is so strong in our school systems.
I'm angry because it's a cold, hard world out there.
I'm grieved because the world has lost another to suicide.

I hope Michael is resting in peace tonight. I don't know if he had a relationship with Christ, and I'd rather not think about it, but the reality is that he's still dead. I just can't believe it. I can't believe Satan can have such strongholds on us. I can't believe God allows some to attempt suicide and live to tell the story, and others He doesn't.

I'm still in shock.
I can't sleep.
His poor family...they now have an element missing.
An emptiness. Confusion, I'm sure.
It seems so out of nowhere.

You never really know the feelings people may be having deep down.
The suicidal thoughts. The darkness...
At one point, I was there myself....but the love of Christ consumed me and I'm forever thankful for that.

I see lots of people writing on Michael's Facebook about how much they love and miss him...
My thought is, "Why weren't these people telling him this BEFORE this happened!??" Upsetting..
It just really makes me rethink my life. I want to be more loving. I want to tell people, "I LOVE YOU!!" way more often. I never want to be a bully. Heck, I never even want to say anything mean now. Not one little thing....because it may be the thing that drives someone over the edge.

There's at least ONE person out there who cares about you. Who loves you. Who wants to see you succeed in life. Who believes in you. Who thinks about you. Who misses you.

We can't think about the things we didn't do. The things we didn't say. Michael is gone, but we can use this to change the future drastically for people in similar situations. Say hello to someone as you pass them in the hallway, smile as you walk past them, shake their hand, have a small chat....SOMETHING!!!

Reach out to others with the kindness and love of Christ.
You may be the only example of it they see...
And you may be the last one....the last chance.

R.I.P. Michael.
This blog is for you.