Reflections on Living Well…And Dying Well
This past month I have lost two family members to death. My daughter-in-law’s brother, Jordan, died July 23 at 29 years of age; my father-in-law, Bob Meye, died August 16 at 91 years of age. Both lived with many limitations. Sadness and tears have colored these last weeks. Other thoughts have come though…. two of them standing out above the rest!
Both men, one young and one old, lived life well!
Jordan was born with heart trouble, had his first of nine heart surgeries at three weeks of age. He was one of five children in a Christian family and chose to invite Jesus into his life at age six. The family watched Jordan go through surgery after surgery with Jesus at his side, changing them profoundly. Open heart surgeries and hospital stays didn’t hold Jordan down. He became a very talented guitarist, writing songs, playing sports, going to college, and being with Jesus every morning, reading his Bible like clockwork. This was Jordan’s life.
In 2017 Jordan had a grand mal seizure limiting him, needing to have assistance in many aspects of life. None the less, Jordan continued to freely share His love, contagious joy and sense of humor with family and those around him. On July 8th, Jordan was hospitalized for his 9th open heart surgery. Jordan died July 23, having complications with his heart.
Bob Meye, got throat cancer in 1989. Prior to this Bob had known no health problems, living, teaching, and traveling throughout the world as Dean and professor at Fuller Seminary. Bob had been a Christian since his youth, leaving the farm and trusting God’s leading for his life.
After the first cancer surgery four more followed over time. Each cancer brought greater restrictions on life. After the second Bob could no longer speak freely from the damage to his throat. He resigned as Dean, ending 30 years of Theological education. His third surgery took away his ability to eat, needing to be fed through a food tube for the remaining 27 years. I watched Bob, out of necessity, become more quiet. He would send emails to his kids and grandkids, sharing thoughts of God, how he was seeing and experiencing his faith in new found ways. He read, digesting new and old trustworthy writers but the Bible remained at the center.
Since February, because of COVID, Bob’s world got smaller. Bob had set a goal to live to see his grandson, David, marry. On June 20th he watched the ceremony from his bedroom. On August 9th, Sunday afternoon, Bob passed.
Jordan and Bob lived well! They were privileged to experience Jesus’ promise, “I have come that they might have life and have it to the full.” John 10:10 Limitations didn’t stop their living well. Rather they welcomed Jesus’ presence to live in and beyond their circumstances.
Both men died well!
They died knowing where they were going.
Jesus said, “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” John 14:1-3
Jordan and Bob knew Jesus’ words well! They trusted His promise.
In closing, let me stress! These two men weren’t perfect. They didn’t earn their way to eternal life by living well. Rather, they received the gift of life Jesus offered enabling them to live their life to the full.
I’m thankful for knowing Jordan and Bob, one indirectly, the other for over 40 years. Both leave a legacy: Jesus’ presence transforms a life for Good! Now, God has welcomed them home!
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