Last night (around 12:45,) I woke up with great heaviness in my heart. I felt the need to pray for a childhood friend - and his family. He has been fighting brain cancer for almost a year. To me, it was no coincidence God woke me up - I learned that he passed away at 1am this morning. He was an extraordinary man. To be honest, he was an extraordinary boy, as well. I knew him from 5th grade, until we graduated from High School. All his life, he had a presence about him - a kind gentleness - that made him standout. My sadness isnt for myself. It is for the void he must leave in the lives of his family and close friends. As for me, I marveled at his faith and prayed for him everyday. I prayed for a miracle. It’s unsettling when people my age (or younger) pass away. It brings so much reflection about how fleeting life is. For me, it also brings questions about whether I’m doing all I can (or should) do with the time God has given me. However, I don’t wonder about that for my friend. At 6’5” (?,) he was a giant of a man. Not only in stature, but as a wonderful husband, father, friend...and servant of God. He was also a councilman for his city, Antioch, CA. (Often, I’ve wondered if it’s possible to be in politics, and still be a person of integrity. He proved that it IS possible.) As his cancer spread, his faith stayed strong. While he (and his loved ones) wanted more time, they were thankful for God’s sustaining grace…and they leaned into God’s plan for his life. As I witnessed his amazing faith, I was both blessed and incredibly humbled. The fact is, I am thankful for his life. He taught me (and so many others) lessons about faith and peace that touched my life in tremendous ways. Though I haven’t seen him face to face for many years, it is through tears that I say, “goodbye for now.” I wish I could express how my heart wishes the world had been blessed with more time with him. Because of the incredible man that he was, my heart grieves for his family and friends. He touched so many lives throughout this journey. I am so grateful to have called him, “friend.” Im also grateful to know his legacy lives on through the extraordinary faith he and his wife, Robin, passed onto their children - which I have no doubt, will continue to bless future generations. Rest in Peace, Gary. “You have fought the good fight, you have finished the race, you have kept the faith. Now there is in store for you the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to you on that day..” 2 Tim 4:7-8a youtu.be/Bms0ZiM_KG0
Posted on: Mon, 28 Jul 2014 20:19:13 +0000
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