You Matter, Life Matters

Some of you know that a friend of mine from high school died last week. In the aftermath of all that was going on, his parents had the courage and honesty to let people know that John had taken his own life. He was 35 years old, a restaurant owner and chef in Kansas City. He appeared to have everything going right in his life, but to often the outside doesn't reflect the inside.

I know that there are times in our lives that can get very dark. That sometimes we can't seem to find our way. When everything seems unimportant, we seem unimportant, life seems to not matter.

Please, please hear these word. YOU MATTER, YOUR LIFE MATTERS! If you are feeling alone, if inside you feel like no one cares about you, please, talk to someone. I promise you, people do care. Sorry to say so many times in today's world we all get caught up in our own stuff, we all have to much going on. It's not that we don't care, it's that we don't see, we don't listen, we don't pay attention.

John my friend, I'm sorry that things got so bad for you that you couldn't see any other way out. You were a great chef and a great person. Know that your life mattered and many people are missing you. May you know God's peace and love always. This I know, there are going to be some great parties and great food in heaven!

So where does life go from here. It goes on, it always does. But hopefully at least for me (and maybe for you), I will open my eyes and see a little bit more, I will open my heart and listen a little closer and I will open my life to pay attention to everything and everyone around me, that I may be just a little more aware of the beauty each and every one of you bring to this world. Thank you for who you are, who God created you to be. Live your life being you, that's the best gift we can give to this world and to God. Love ya, brian

National Coming Out Day

Today is National Coming Out Day for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender people. Today is the day when we need to support, love and accept our family and friends who come out today or for that matter any day. Today is the day we need to let anyone who is GLBT know that there is a place for them at the table where God loves, cares and accepts each and every one of them, you, or us.

May you be blessed. brian