Bringing Peace

Despite owning a home perched atop a high cliff with a scenic ocean view in Sydney, Australia, Don and Moya Ritchie live on a plot of real estate that can best be described as something out of a bad dream. The rocky cliff is known as The Gap–the most notorious suicide destination in the country.

While most people would surely move away, the Ritchies have stayed for almost 50 years, saving an estimated 160 people from taking the leap.

Every morning Mr. Ritchie wakes up and looks out the window to see if anyone is “standing alone too close to the precipice.” If he senses someone may be contemplating suicide, he approaches them and asks if they’d like to talk over a cup of tea. “I’m offering them an alternative,” he says.

The retired life insurance salesman says he’s not “burdened” by the reality of what happens in close proximity to his house. Instead, he and his wife of 58 years have learned to look at it as a calling. He says it’s wonderful to have saved so many, to have “sold them” on life.

“I think,” says Moya, “isn’t it wonderful that we live here and we can help people?”

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  - Isaiah 9:6 

Reading about Don and Moya made me stop and consider. What difficult situation has God put in my life that could be used for good If I looked at it in a different way?” How could my pain bring peace to someone else?

I know that it was painful, in everyway imaginable, for the Christ to give up his position in heaven and exchange it for a life among us but his death would bring me life. His suffering would bring me freedom from mine. His pain would bring me peace.

Don and Moya stay so that they can reach one more. Maybe its today. If I look, if I would see into someone else’s hurt this season, maybe I could help. Maybe I can relieve some stress, heal some wounds, comfort some loss and into their pain bring peace.