July 30, 2025

Wednesday Word . . . Better With You

Last September I was in Gillette for a Soul Shop seminar.  Soul Shop is a faith-based suicide prevention/awareness program and I went to learn more about how to identify and speak to people about suicide.  I was then asked to be trained as a Soul Shop facilitator/trainer, which is what I was doing in Casper most of last week.

One of the things Soul Shop says is that we are better with you than without you.  As I was going through the training I recalled the sermon I preached on the lost sheep and lost coin – that we lose things we value, we need, and/or we love.  When we think of finding the lost sheep or lost coin in relation to other people, we should change our perspective and think about how we need those people in our lives – that we are better with them than without them.

We are all going through our own stuff.  Whether that stuff is financial, work or family related, health related, an addiction of one kind or another, or any number of other things, everyone has stuff they’re going through.  Sometimes that stuff is insignificant, other times that stuff can be overwhelming.  And the thing is, very few of us know exactly what others are going through; which is why, in a world where you can be anything, it’s so very important to be kind.

Our faith tells us that the two greatest commandments are:  Love God and Love Neighbor.  As the parable of the Good Samaritan shows us, our neighbor includes those in need.  People considering suicide are in need – they are in need of being seen, they are in need of coping skills, they are in need of love.  In our regular interactions with our neighbors we might see hints, discrepancies, or things that are just off from what we normally see.  If we see that, we need to have the courage to ask them how they’re doing and invite them into a conversation.

Wyoming is one of the top three states for suicide rates in the country.  I’m working on scheduling a Soul Shop event in September because it’s important we all know how to recognize and help prevent our friends and neighbors from ending their own lives.  If you need to talk but don’t know who to call, start with the 988 hotline that is always staffed to take calls.

With that in mind, I want to remind you that, as your priest and as your neighbor, I am available to talk if your stuff starts to get too overwhelming.  And I also want you to know that my life is better with you in it.

Blessings,