This morning just after 6:00am, the Lord called our friend Rick home. Rick is the father of my brother's girlfriend. We have had the opportunity to get to know him and his family a bit over the past few years. Just before the new year, Rick went into the ER with some strange symptoms, the next day he was diagnosed with lung and brain cancer. Shocking to an otherwise healthy looking man. He was not given long to live, but he fought it anyway. His testimony has been amazing as I watched he and his wife walk this seemly long, road over the past few months. Just Sunday, his wife surprised him with a group of his motorcycle buddies showing up at his house. He went out, sat down in the driveway and again told his testimony of God's amazing grace in his life. He told them that he was not afraid to die, he knew where he was going and that he would soon be with the Lord. What he was afraid of was that some of his friends didn't know what would happen to them when their time came. He presented the gospel, yet again to a group of close friends, many of whom are/were not saved. The next day, Rick's health drastically took a turn for the worse. It was the last gospel message he would proclaim.
Yesterday I took the family food and got to spend a few minutes with Debbie, Rick's wife as we looked over his bed and talked to him. Although he was sedated, he smiled a couple of times and raised his eyebrows. Just before taking his last breath this morning, he opened his eyes and looked at his dear, loving, precious wife.
Please pray for this family as they walk through one of the hardest days in their lives today. Pray for Erica as she mourns the loss of her father. Her sister Mary who was able to come down and support her mother. His wife, Debbie as she has lost her dear husband. Pray for my brother, Justin as he steps in and ministers to his girlfriend and her family. Pray that the Peace that passes ALL understanding would wrap them today.
Here are a few pictures in memory of Rick.
I thought I had a really great pictures from January with him next to his motorcycle, but I can't find it:-( I think it's on my dad's computer. I'll have to share later.
For anyone intersted I've found a couple interesting articles on death.
John Piper-
What happens at Death?Afraid? Of What? - a poem
1 comment:
I remember you telling us about Rick during one of our walks, and I have prayed for their family a few times since them. I'm so grateful he had one more chance to share Christ with his friends, and will be praying that Jesus softens their hearts in this difficult time. It is such a blessing to bring glory to God through life, but bringing glory to God in death is, somehow I think, truly a gift. It sounds like Rick will be bringing glory to God for a very long time.
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