My cousin suffered a heart attack and required immediate open-heart surgery.

He did well afterward until they took away his pain medication. Then, methadone became his best friend.

One day, I found him sitting on his couch sobbing. He confessed his addiction and spoke about purchasing drugs off the street. He could not afford his heart medication and had to choose between the two drugs. He explained he was watering down the methadone so it would last longer.

A week later, I had the feeling I needed to see him.

I went to his home and found him sitting on his back deck with a rope, planning to take his life.

We went to the emergency room, where a young woman was assigned to monitor him. She did not judge him. She explained that she had tried to commit suicide, had gotten help, and told him how much better her life was now.

Soon, he was released from the hospital and sent home. The following week, his pastor texted me to say my cousin is no longer taking street drugs and has started coming back to church.

I love my cousin. So does his family and his church. But God loves him even more than we do. God loves you too — no matter what you have done. Come to Him: He promises pardon and forgiveness to anyone who asks.