03 27 07 Precious Life to Celebrate
"Precious (important and no light matter) in the sight of the Lord
is the death of His saints (His loving ones)."
(Psalm 116:15)
For one of the rare times in my 47 years, I will attend the funeral of one of my peers today. It’s not something I think I will forget easily. This friend was a lot like me when I met him at my church 12-13 years ago. He was a struggling single-dad trying to do the best by his little girls and by the Lord. He would give anyone the shirt off his back and lived to serve. He was of a gentle spirit and a loving and generous heart.
This brother showed my wife and me the ropes on the dark streets of DC as we first began serving the homeless together some seven years ago. He lived out a life of giving, sacrifice, and had a manly gentleness about him. His heart was reflected in his eyes and his wallet. As I went on my first several mission trips, he was there too. He just showed up, willing to work wherever needed. He taught me how to say "yes" to the need, whether I was qualified or not. I learned how to allow the Holy Spirit to use a willing and available vessel. He taught me how to be there!
He didn’t drive a fancy car or where fancy clothes, but I rejoice today because I know my friend is now sitting with the King of kings in a royal robe wearing an even bigger smile, because he’s home! My friend and I had some long quiet talks about fatherhood, brotherhood, and life in general. We couldn’t quite understand why some people did some things. We couldn’t quite figure out why we were in the predicaments we were in (well, we were sinners, after all) or how to get out of them! But we decided to let the Lord work things out and do the best we could with what life we had left! Life took us in different directions over the past few years, yet we shared a special bond.
My friend’s journey is over now. He has the answers. He served well. He gave and he showed me how to give. Thank you my brother; rest well. I’ll see you soon to catch up on things. Save a place for me at the table! You are indeed a precious life to celebrate!

"Precious (important and no light matter) in the sight of the Lord
is the death of His saints (His loving ones)."
(Psalm 116:15)
For one of the rare times in my 47 years, I will attend the funeral of one of my peers today. It’s not something I think I will forget easily. This friend was a lot like me when I met him at my church 12-13 years ago. He was a struggling single-dad trying to do the best by his little girls and by the Lord. He would give anyone the shirt off his back and lived to serve. He was of a gentle spirit and a loving and generous heart.
This brother showed my wife and me the ropes on the dark streets of DC as we first began serving the homeless together some seven years ago. He lived out a life of giving, sacrifice, and had a manly gentleness about him. His heart was reflected in his eyes and his wallet. As I went on my first several mission trips, he was there too. He just showed up, willing to work wherever needed. He taught me how to say "yes" to the need, whether I was qualified or not. I learned how to allow the Holy Spirit to use a willing and available vessel. He taught me how to be there!
He didn’t drive a fancy car or where fancy clothes, but I rejoice today because I know my friend is now sitting with the King of kings in a royal robe wearing an even bigger smile, because he’s home! My friend and I had some long quiet talks about fatherhood, brotherhood, and life in general. We couldn’t quite understand why some people did some things. We couldn’t quite figure out why we were in the predicaments we were in (well, we were sinners, after all) or how to get out of them! But we decided to let the Lord work things out and do the best we could with what life we had left! Life took us in different directions over the past few years, yet we shared a special bond.
My friend’s journey is over now. He has the answers. He served well. He gave and he showed me how to give. Thank you my brother; rest well. I’ll see you soon to catch up on things. Save a place for me at the table! You are indeed a precious life to celebrate!