Faith & Insight: Street Vibrations

Have you seen all the motorcycles around town? It’s the fall Street Vibrations rally. Every fall, we see a lot of motorcycles in town. I ride a motorcycle, so I tend to notice them. Do you know the biggest fear bikers have? It’s not being noticed. That can be very dangerous for a biker. It’s important that we watch for motorcycles all the time, but especially this weekend.

I met a veteran the other day who shared he was suicidal. He was going through professional counseling and it was helping him a lot. He is married and has a beautiful daughter and what most people would think was everything to live for, but inside he has very dark struggles.

He shared how a friend had noticed a change in his behavior and had checked up on him right when he had a gun out and was going to end it. This friend saved his life just by noticing a little change in his behavior and checking up on him. I prayed with him and thanked God for his friend that had saved his life.

I read somewhere that we should “always be kind because we never know what other people are going through.” We should check on that elderly neighbor or call that friend we have not heard from. Sit with that person at lunch who is always alone. Notice other’s behavior and when we see something that raises questions, ask them. Take some time to encourage them.

Let’s see how we can reach out to someone who needs a sincere friend this weekend and let’s remember to watch for the motorcycles when we are out driving this weekend as well.

Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up (Proverbs 12:25).

Capt. Mark Cyr is pastor of the Salvation Army, 911 E. Second St., Carson City, Nev. 89701. For information, go to carsoncity.salvationarmy.org.