James "Marty" Lind

"Our friend died on his own battlefield. He was killed in action fighting a civil war. He fought against adversaries of sorrow and tragedy that took toll of his energies and endurance. At last these adversaries overwhelmed him. And it appeared that he lost the war. But did he? I see a host of victories that he has won!

For one thing-he has won our admiration-because even if he lost the war, we give him credit for his bravery on the battlefield. And we give him credit for the courage and pride and hope that he used as his weapons as long as he could. We shall remember not his death, but his daily victories gained through his kindness and thoughtfulness, through his love for family and friends, for sports, the outdoors and his zest to have fun. He celebrated his friends and was always there with a helping hand. He was loved by many and was blessed to have such good friends. We shall remember not his last day of defeat, but we shall remember the many days that he was victorious over overwhelming odds. We shall remember not the years we thought he had left, but the intensity with which he lived the years that he had.

Only God truly knows what this child of His suffered in the silent skirmishes that took place in his soul. But our consolation is that God does know, and understands."

Marty is now in the loving hands of God and with his children in a place where there is no sorrow.

Dear Heavenly Father,

We humbly come to you today with broken hearts. Those of us who have lost our precious loved ones to suicide are grieving and struggling to regain our senses. We know this life is not without pain, but You have provided us with insight concerning our future. Help us use this tragic event to show a deeper understanding and love to others who are grieving. You promised us that your ‘grace is sufficient.’ In the turmoil of this pain and loss, please surround us with this grace and give us inner peace. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen

~Eulogy inspired by the words of Rev. Weston Stevens in "The Healing of Sorrow"~