Gabby's Talk

Several months ago, Gabby felt called to lead a talk at youth group on depression and suicide. Caelan took the night off work and stepped in to pray for her sister as the night began. Buck stepped out of Bible study downstairs to listen to what Gabby had to say. You could have heard a pin drop in the room. Usually restless teenagers tuned in to listen to Gabby's words about what she experienced after Grandpa B and Aunt L died. They also heard Gabby share about how she found comfort and truth in scripture, recognizing that Biblical heroes of the faith experienced the same emotions and questions she did. In all these things, they pointed to God, and Gabby did, too.

When her talk finished, our youth director called Buck up to pray over all the kids the way he prays over Gabby. Then Noah led worship, confirming Gabby's words, and applying scripture that agreed with what she'd said.

Small group time filled with confessions and struggles and hope. It was a powerful night, and by answering God's call to talk to her peers, Gabby addressed some important ways to seek help if her friends or others are struggling with dark thoughts. Take care of yourself, eat, sleep, talk to someone you trust, monitor what you listen to, watch or read, and open your Bible.

We'll know in heaven someday if those morsels of wisdom planted might have helped saved lives in that room. It was a very special, very brave, and very vulnerable night. To God be the glory!