In ministry one is suppose to grow accustomed to the transitory nature of life I suppose, and yet I find myself periodically left breathless by its fleeting shadows. This past Thursday I experienced such a transcending moment as I sat down with friends who have been special to my heart for over ten years. When the Nelsons first touched ground in Alvin I remember running into Wayne, Debra and their family in a local restaurant, after church one Sunday. Although we had only been in town a few days I'm sure we had met, but there was something about this encounter which stuck with me.
In the following weeks and months our friendship grew. When in the medical center I would drop by Wayne's office for a brief visit. Carolon and I were often included in family events and as Wayne's daughter finished college and planned to get married, I was honored to perform the ceremony. It was a very simple and beautiful event on New Year's Eve, concluding with a cruise for the wedding party and a few friends on Clear Lake. But, as we all experience, the rush of life rather than bringing us together often carries us further apart. Such was my experience.
In the past few weeks the tide changed. We all know the refreshment of a call from an old friend. My ministry assistant buzzed me and said Debra is on the phone for you. In the past such calls were to invite us to attend a special family event, or peruse bible answers for difficult life questions. But, this time the call was about Wayne. Wayne wanted to see me. She told me the problem, but not the details. So for the next week I longed to see Wayne. I thought and prayed for my brother in faith and friendship. Then last Thursday we coordinated a time when Debra would be home from work and I went by.
Wayne had been diagnosed with a brain tumor and due to the type of tumor and location in the brain they were opting not to do surgery or treatments. What was their plan? Wayne wanted to visit a few places in Texas and beyond that simply enjoy his final days, appreciating life he had often taken for granted. Over the years the periphery of life persistently demanded center stage for Wayne. And his relationship with God regularly took the hit of his own inner struggles. But, now he felt something new. Something real. Something ultimate. For the first time in his life he felt liberated.
Wayne poured out his heart of faith and joy in God. His words were not the melody of bitterness, echoes of hopelessness, or cries of desperation. His take on life and death reflected the harmony of a God He now knew, as he had never known before. In the prime of life, excelling in his profession, and new grandkids to spoil, yet, Wayne was near life's exit sign. Odd though it seems, my preaching text this week has been 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:5, where the focus is on the body declining, the spirit being renewed, and the Christian longing for eternity with God. I've learned not to be so surprised when God has summoned just the right text for a given week. I've learned to receive and in turn give.
So, this week has been about receiving from a dear friendship. Receiving faith. Receiving life. Receiving hope. Receiving love. As I entered Wayne and Debra's home a man out of breath I was met with the open arms of My Brother and Friend.
