Visiting with Jeff at the hospital
Jason and I decided to go see Jeff in the hospital in Nashville. We planned a day to go, and talked about maybe getting a gift or something. We called ahead, and Stace said that would be great. We decided to get him something for his bike. Jason found a bike computer that had several functions. Jeff's new bike didn't have one, so that would be something he might enjoy later. As a joke, we also got him a pair of heavy scissors, so he could cut the sleeves out of any shirts they might make him wear in the hospital. When we got there, Stace was at Jeff's side. He was in the hospital bed, all propped up, and grinning. He really liked the bike computer, but he loved the scissors. Stace gave us both a big hug, and was glad to see us too. They already had some visitors there from church. We stayed a few minutes, and Jeff wanted to know how we were doing and what we had been up to. As tough as it was to see Jeff in the hospital, it was still really great to see him and visit with him and Stacy.
Visiting with Jeff in his Garage
There were times when treatments and weakness kept Jeff from working. I would drive by and see if he was out in his garage. He spent a lot of time sitting in a lawn chair in front of the big open door, and his bible was always open, and next to the chair.
Jason and I decided to go see Jeff in the hospital in Nashville. We planned a day to go, and talked about maybe getting a gift or something. We called ahead, and Stace said that would be great. We decided to get him something for his bike. Jason found a bike computer that had several functions. Jeff's new bike didn't have one, so that would be something he might enjoy later. As a joke, we also got him a pair of heavy scissors, so he could cut the sleeves out of any shirts they might make him wear in the hospital. When we got there, Stace was at Jeff's side. He was in the hospital bed, all propped up, and grinning. He really liked the bike computer, but he loved the scissors. Stace gave us both a big hug, and was glad to see us too. They already had some visitors there from church. We stayed a few minutes, and Jeff wanted to know how we were doing and what we had been up to. As tough as it was to see Jeff in the hospital, it was still really great to see him and visit with him and Stacy.
Visiting with Jeff in his Garage
There were times when treatments and weakness kept Jeff from working. I would drive by and see if he was out in his garage. He spent a lot of time sitting in a lawn chair in front of the big open door, and his bible was always open, and next to the chair.
Sometimes
I called or sent a text first, sometimes I just stopped by. Jeff was always smiling,
and glad to see me. If it was around
lunchtime, I might stay ten minutes, Other times I stayed longer. The pump he wore sent treatments into his body
and fought the cancer. The humming sound
it made when it turned on was the only reminder of how sick Jeff really was. Jeff’s smile and outward appearance didn’t reflect
the battle he was in the middle of. Was
that the coach keeping his cool in the middle of a fierce game? Was it the star player quietly setting up a
series of three point shots in his mind to help give his a team a chance to win? Was it the friend that didn’t want another
friend to worry about him? I think it
was all of these and more. Jeff put you
at ease. As soon as he saw me walking up, he asked about me how I was doing. Then he asked about my family, each child by name, and wanted
to know that they were ok. Jeff said he spent
a lot of time reading his bible, and praying.
He talked a lot about the
miracles Jesus granted in the gospel of Matthew.
Jeff prayed for a miracle. He talked
about what he had read. I mostly
listened. Sometimes, I was reminded of verses
I had written in the back of my bible that are meaningful to me. When I mentioned one of these verses, we
would talk more. God’s word spoke to us.
We don’t always understand.
1Corinthians 13:12 says, "For now we see in the mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.”
Sooner or later we will all ask, “why” or, “how come.” For some, these questions are just flash through our mind, and we are reminded that God is in control. Other people obsess over Why and How come. We are not supposed to know everything. We are not supposed to understand everything. We are limited, flawed, and incomplete. There is a turning point in this verse, “but then…” What is this turning point? “but then,” is the transition we all make from this life on earth to forever. “then…face to face,” My face and who elses face? The who is Jesus. Believers have the promise of seeing Jesus face to face. “Then I shall know fully”. Then we will understand. Believers have the promise of forever in Heaven. A forever with Jesus, face to face. Until then, we won’t always understand.
Do your job, and control the things you can.
Deuteronomy 2:3 “You have circled this mountain long enough, now turn north.”
I remember Reverend Archer Thorpe used this verse in a service while he was serving as interim pastor at our church. This verse struck me as being an answer to one of life’s basic questions. What am I supposed to be doing? The answer is, do your job, and keep doing your job. Love the Lord. Honor your parents. Go to work. Do your best. Be honest. Repeat. Circle your mountain. Circle your mountain. Circle your mountain. God will let you know when you can stop circling your mountain. Jeff was in a battle. Jeff was circling his mountain. He kept loving the Lord. He honored his parents, wife and children. He went to work, until he couldn’t work any longer. He gave his best effort. Jeff was honest about everything. He repeated that day after day. There is a point that God let’s a Believer know, we are done on this earth. The command, “Now turn north,” frees us up to what’s next. Liberates us from this broken world. Points us toward eternity. Jeff kept fighting. He kept telling others about how good life is and how good God is. I remember talking with Jeff about this verse. Jeff lived out this verse. “My Story for His Glory” is Jeff’s testimony. There is a link on another post with that name that will allow you the blessing of hearing Jeff's voice, delivering this message of hope.
Persevere and never give up
Hebrews 12:1-3 “Therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
Athletes can all understand a race. Run your race. Yours may be an easy course, or it may be an impossible course. Yours may be a short race, or a marathon. Yours may be a daily battle, or you may sail through life not knowing much adversity. Pain and joy often go together. Finally, we are to consider what Jesus endured for us, and not lose heart, and give up. Jeff never lost his heart for the lord and for life. Jeff never gave up.
Embrace adversity
Job 2:10 “Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?"
Blessings are easy to accept. Adversity is not. Job was talking to his wife, who was not trusting God as Job was. Psalm 118:24 says, “This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” We are not promised easy, we are promised strength. Jeff never ran from adversity. He was always up for a challenge. He was smart and a quick learner. He adapted, battled, and persevered. Jeff embraced adversity.
We don’t always understand.
1Corinthians 13:12 says, "For now we see in the mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.”
Sooner or later we will all ask, “why” or, “how come.” For some, these questions are just flash through our mind, and we are reminded that God is in control. Other people obsess over Why and How come. We are not supposed to know everything. We are not supposed to understand everything. We are limited, flawed, and incomplete. There is a turning point in this verse, “but then…” What is this turning point? “but then,” is the transition we all make from this life on earth to forever. “then…face to face,” My face and who elses face? The who is Jesus. Believers have the promise of seeing Jesus face to face. “Then I shall know fully”. Then we will understand. Believers have the promise of forever in Heaven. A forever with Jesus, face to face. Until then, we won’t always understand.
Do your job, and control the things you can.
Deuteronomy 2:3 “You have circled this mountain long enough, now turn north.”
I remember Reverend Archer Thorpe used this verse in a service while he was serving as interim pastor at our church. This verse struck me as being an answer to one of life’s basic questions. What am I supposed to be doing? The answer is, do your job, and keep doing your job. Love the Lord. Honor your parents. Go to work. Do your best. Be honest. Repeat. Circle your mountain. Circle your mountain. Circle your mountain. God will let you know when you can stop circling your mountain. Jeff was in a battle. Jeff was circling his mountain. He kept loving the Lord. He honored his parents, wife and children. He went to work, until he couldn’t work any longer. He gave his best effort. Jeff was honest about everything. He repeated that day after day. There is a point that God let’s a Believer know, we are done on this earth. The command, “Now turn north,” frees us up to what’s next. Liberates us from this broken world. Points us toward eternity. Jeff kept fighting. He kept telling others about how good life is and how good God is. I remember talking with Jeff about this verse. Jeff lived out this verse. “My Story for His Glory” is Jeff’s testimony. There is a link on another post with that name that will allow you the blessing of hearing Jeff's voice, delivering this message of hope.
Persevere and never give up
Hebrews 12:1-3 “Therefore since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
Athletes can all understand a race. Run your race. Yours may be an easy course, or it may be an impossible course. Yours may be a short race, or a marathon. Yours may be a daily battle, or you may sail through life not knowing much adversity. Pain and joy often go together. Finally, we are to consider what Jesus endured for us, and not lose heart, and give up. Jeff never lost his heart for the lord and for life. Jeff never gave up.
Embrace adversity
Job 2:10 “Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?"
Blessings are easy to accept. Adversity is not. Job was talking to his wife, who was not trusting God as Job was. Psalm 118:24 says, “This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” We are not promised easy, we are promised strength. Jeff never ran from adversity. He was always up for a challenge. He was smart and a quick learner. He adapted, battled, and persevered. Jeff embraced adversity.