Deal Gently

What would cause a teen who was only nineteen years old to grab a knife, present himself to his mother, and say, “Kill me!” What caused that same young man to turn to drugs and alcohol? Broken home, jobless market, lack of ambitious friends —all contributed to pulling him into a deep, dark chasm. He was a leader in his school— but now? Why? He had been involved in church and youth activities but, alas, had fallen by the way! “Many, many have fainted and become discouraged in the great struggle of life, when one word of kindly cheer would have strengthened them to overcome.”* “I am inviting you to church this Sabbath,” I said to this young man.

“I am not the kind who goes every week, but I go the Sabbath of my birthday to give thanks, and my birthday is next week,” he replied.

“OK, next week then!” I responded.

True to his word, he was in church that week, sitting beside his mother in the congregation. I watched the circle that surrounded him after church —old, young, and middle-aged— all were clamoring for his attention to let this young man know that they missed him and were glad to see him back. I also welcomed him and encouraged him to keep on attending. “Attending church will give you courage for all you face each day,” I shared. “The angels of heaven look upon the distress of God’s family upon the earth, and they are prepared to co-operate with men in relieving oppression and suffering.”† Let us heed the exhortation found in Hebrews 5:2 and “deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since [we ourselves are] beset with weakness.”

Hyacinth V. Caleb