18 Comments
User's avatar
Debbie Owen's avatar

Finally have enough breathing room to go back and read this. So glad I did. Thank you for giving voice to the pain and giving a path through it, with Jesus.

Jason Swan Clark's avatar

Thank you, Debbie

Alice Jackman's avatar

Thank you so much - that articulates so clearly what I feel is at the root of the assisted suicide bill. A desire to end pain, and a fear that one will not be able to escape pain - a hope to have control over this last frontier.

Jason Swan Clark's avatar

We are so pain-avoidant and see nothing redemptive in it. Control - that most human of instincts!

Eric C. Basye, DLd's avatar

Thank you so much for your vulnerability! Well, sad and well spoken.

Penny Newson's avatar

Thank you Jason, for writing this and to have when those dark moments come. To remember it is good I am here and that really counts

Jason Swan Clark's avatar

It is so good that you are here Penny! Jason x

Dave's avatar

This spoke to a deep, raw and actively bleeding part of my heart right now. It hits on suicidal ideation and so many more little secrets and closets of my life and others. It is good that I exist.

Thank you so much for your work.

Jason Swan Clark's avatar

Thank you, Dave. It is good that you exist!

Ed Gerken's avatar

Great stuff, thanks for the courage to bring this dark topic to light. In my season of despair and not wanting to continue living, I realized that there are two ways to end my life. I could take it in a suicidal act, one and done. Or I could give it in continuous and complete surrender. Jesus said to find life, I must give my life. I chose to take him up on that, and continue to choose to surrender my life to his Love every moment of every day.

Jason Swan Clark's avatar

Thanks for sharing this here Ed. So glad you chose the way of death in Christ. It is good you are here.

Adam Cheney's avatar

Thanks for sharing Jason. I especially loved this paragraph as I sit here in Minnesota just tired and drained right now..."The Church’s role is not to rush people out of that place, but to remain with them in it. Like the women at the foot of the cross, we are called to stand near — not to offer answers, but to bear witness to their pain. To hold space for lament. To walk with those who can no longer walk alone."

Jason Swan Clark's avatar

Thanks for reading and sharing this Adam, Jason

Sarah Coppin's avatar

Jason this is deeply moving. Thank you so much for writing this.

Jason Swan Clark's avatar

Thank you, Sarah, Jason

Peter Burton's avatar

🙏🏼

Thanks for sharing Jason. Love that Rutledge quote!

Jason Swan Clark's avatar

Thank you, Peter!