thoughts on the news of the day: jack

hmmm…..

            78.3 years – that’s the length of time a baby born today has as a life expectancy.  This increased length in time is due to all sorts of improvements in medicine, public health, workplace safety and behavior habits.  Seniors, for example are enjoying far better health than in past years. 

            My dear friend Jack lived about that long, but cancer ravaged his body and eventually destroyed it.  I met Jack 6 or 7 years ago when I was looking for a new pulpit to fill.  He was the head of the team that was sent from Durant, OK to find a new Presbyterian minister for a church there. 

            Jack was the classic Gentleman Rancher.  He raised cattle out on his ranch west of town but was mostly a highly educated professor and administrator at the university in Durant.  In addition to that, he even did a little preaching from time to time.   My pastorate at the church in Durant was a difficult one, but Jack was always there for me. He encouraged me, offered wisdom and prayer when things got tough.  And after I left that dusty Oklahoma town, Jack and I remained close through phone calls. 

            Jack’s faith was an inspiration to me. He was a learned bible scholar; but more importantly, he had the simple trust in God that comes from wrestling and overcoming impossible challenges. 

            If you have someone in your life that you have learned from and will miss when they are gone, don’t hesitate to reach out to them, tomorrow may be too late.  We have so much to learn from those who have gone before us and I am proud to have known my great friend, Jack.  May he rest in peace. 

            hmmm…..