.: the passing of a blessing :.

I found myself in the middle of a divine appointment today. A lunchtime call sent us up to the hospital, thinking that we would be speaking our final words to a passing friend. But when we got there, word came back that he had already gone. Never have I ever walked into the kind of setting that I found myself in today, surrounded by friends and family impacted by the loss of a loved one. There he was, a soul that said so much to everyone without saying a single word. He was a man who made me long to end my life in the sort of place that I saw him living in. He lived in a place of incredible contentment and selflessness. His life spelled out for everyone he knew what it meant to live with grace and compassion. There are very few people who have laid their lives and ambitions down for my own sake, but he was certainly one of them. He showed us that life was best when it was shared. And there he was, a soul that had fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith (2 Tim 4:7). A number of times, I found myself looking at his life and longing to be where he was years from now. Rarely did he ever allow the conversation to remain on him, always shifting the spotlight to my own life and situation. Even towards the end as he faced incredible personal pain, he never missed the chance to show how deeply he cared for me. I must admit, I was not ready for that moment when goodbyes could no longer be spoken face-to-face. Now all I can do is weep and rejoice, broken by his passing and lifted by his finally being released from the suffering found in his earthly body. I will miss him more than anything, for his was a life that gave life to everyone around him. He knew what it meant to give himself away. He spoke love and hope to me in every encounter. He cared himself as a man who deeply loved Christ, and longed to honor Him in any and every way. He proved that he was willing to pay the price to be used by the Father, investing in lives that continue beyond his own. He possessed such a resonating joy and contagious delight. He had a way of helping others realize what the Father has in store for those who abandon themselves to His control. And by His grace, I will never forget the example set by this man who was so devoted to the loving heart of our Heavenly Father. I rejoice on such a sad day, for this is the day that he receives his eternal reward for a life well-lived. We were truly blessed to have him with us!