They seldom smile or they laugh too long, too loud. They are at the center of activity, effectively leading to accomplish goals or they are quiet at the perimeter, contributing little. Pretty, handsome, well-groomed, simple, plain; age, gender, socioeconomic standing--nothing appears to be a common factor. The sense of non-entity, loneliness, namelessness can happen to anyone, at any time, and for any length of time. Everyone is vulnerable. It's part of being a human being.
Before retiring from teaching, Jerry Beasley observed the void, the emptiness in some of the high school students in her classroom, as well as in teaching peers and administrators. She witnessed the same emotional abyss in relatives, church family, neighbors, and friends, wordlessly screaming out for someone to pay attention, to care, to emotionally involve themselves, to name them as a peer, a friend, a family member, a mentor.
Times of despair come for everyone, but the God that created us is always with us. He will not forsake us. He will offer us the peace that passes all understanding. Peace that comes with having nothing between Him and us. When we seek professional or pastoral help, we need to remember He is only a prayer away.
About the Author
Jerry Beasley lives with her husband, Jim, in Hutchinson, Kansas, where they raised their son and two daughters. Jerry and Jim have been married fifty-eight years and are proud grandparents of ten grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Jerry is a magna cum laude graduate of Chris Business College in Anaheim, California, where the couple lived during a Marine Corp tour of duty. She also graduated from Hutchinson Community College and Sterling College. She taught history and government at the high-school level until her retirement. She has been an active member of the Youth Advisory Council of Orange County, Civil Air Patrol, Improving Community Education for Reno County, secretary and treasurer for Big Brothers, Court-Appointed Special Advocate volunteer, member of the National Officials of Golden Gloves of America, and office manager for the Golden Gloves national tournaments. She has also been active in church and school-related activities, including serving as chairman of the Grove School Board.
In 1994, Jerry received the Church Life Award as an outstanding woman of service from the Kansas-Nebraska Conference of Women's Ministry and in 1995 she was listed in the book Notable Adventist Women of Today.
