My Friend “Seth”

Written By Lisa S

I’d say it was 1997, and I met this man - for privacy, I’ll call him Seth. Seth played basketball, guitar, went to church, wore a Kairos cross necklace, was from my home state, and gosh - he was genuine. He was an extrovert and an introvert. He was the first person I met in my life who talked about God and made it cool.

After graduation, I found myself struggling to believe. Seth took me to church. While others were hungover, we went to mass. On one particular Sunday sermon, the pastor talked about doubt—so much so that Seth was laughing at the coincidence—what are the odds the mass he invites me to—the pastor talks about doubt—the very reason he invited me? The sermon gave me concrete books to read and challenges on what to do if I doubted. It was chilling.

As the years passed, Seth and I occasionally met for a cocktail at a local establishment. As I talked about my life, and the pain, he looked at me with a vision and said, “God is going to do some amazing things in your life.”

What did that mean? What could he see that I couldn’t?

Seth wrote me a Kairos letter when I went on my first retreat. Neither of us knew that this wee little retreat called Kairos would stick, and I would have immersed myself in a calling.

Decades later, when I was in a valley, Seth selflessly helped and wanted none of the credit. Always a steadfast supporter.

Thank you to my humble friend. That friend you’d want in your life regardless of your mood. He has a sense of humor, charisma, morals, values, and he’s been a role model to me since I’ve known him. He helps me believe in something bigger - he has helped me believe in the good in people. He’s helped me believe in myself.

I'm not quite sure where I would be without Seth’s guidance, support, and friendship. I hope he’s reminded of all the lives that have been affected because of his presence.

Seth changed my life, and by proxy, countless others. He started a ripple effect by talking about God with a curious woman who was lost without a map.

Keep playing the guitar, singing, being a dad, and a good man.

I am lucky to call you my friend.

Lisa S

A woman striving to create a unique nonprofit organization - on a mission to impact the mental health epidemic. She’s sharing what she overcame and learned in years of research, healing, and perseverance. She writes raw, truthful stories about God, hope, spirituality, energy, and survival. Her vision is to show the world we are more alike than we realize. She writes about showing love, how kindness makes a difference, and rising from ashes.

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