Are You Okay?

A few months ago, my uncle ended his own life by running in front of a semi truck.

It was a devastating tragedy and a shock to our family. We knew he was battling depression, but we didn’t know how bad it really was.

Tonight while BJ and I drove down busy narrow street close to home BJ had to swerve a hair as he was surprised to see a young man dressed in dark clothes walking on the soft shoulder of the road with no sidewalk.

BJ acknowledged the young man looked like a kid and was lucky he didn’t get hit.

I instantly had a flashback of the news footage of where Devin’s car was found on the interstate and the semi truck that hit him. And I thought, “what if someone had stopped and asked if he was okay? Would he still be here?”

I kinda shook it off a little as we continued driving. Until I heard Devin’s command, “Go back and ask if he’s okay!”

We immediately turned around and went back where the boy had been. He had turned around and was walking the other direction now.

We stopped and asked if he was okay. He looked scared, cold and shaking a bit and he answered “No.”

I asked if he wanted a ride somewhere and he said, “no I don’t take rides with strangers” and I responded ”good for you!” I asked if I could call the police and have them come help him and he said “yes!” I asked if he had anyone to call and he said, “no, that’s why I’m running.”

As we waited outside the car for the police to arrive we were able to visit with him and he was more than willing to share why he was, in fact, running. He had been in a fight with a family member, he was scared he was hurt and upset. He began crying and I asked if I could give him a hug and he practically leapt into my arms.  

As he squeezed me and sobbed I poured all the love I possibly could on him in that brief embrace.
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Connection. Understanding. Love. Isn’t that what we’re all yearning for?

I can’t dwell on “what if” for Devin. That time has past.

But I can sure be on the lookout for the lost, the broken and the hurting that are seeking a warm smile and a soft embrace and someone to simply give a care and ask “Are you okay?”

I know for a fact that Devin helped that boy today. Who knows if anything bad might have happened to him... but I’m grateful to know we were in the right place at the right time and willing to be an instrument in God’s all-knowing and gracious hands, to offer love to a sweet boy who just needed a hug.

All my love ‘til next time,
💖Jessica

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