What IS Today Can Suddenly Change!

October 9, 2006

This past April, my son, Michael, and I played a round of golf at one of the beautiful courses on Hilton Head Island. As you avid golfers know, because we were only a twosome, another twosome was assigned to play with us, but for reasons unbeknown to me, only one of the twosome showed up to play—obviously, a complete stranger. Dick, I soon learned, was a bit older than I and, I might add, a minister, as well. For those of you who know me, you know that I enjoyed that 18 hole journey with him. It didn’t take long for us to become involved in a “round the course” theological discussion, nor did it take long for me to know that we held very similar views, which made it even more interesting! To tell you the truth, somewhere around the 7th or 8th hole, I began to feel as if Dick and I had grown up together in the same small town and had been lifetime friends.

To be honest, I have no idea what my score was for that round but I do remember finishing the 18th hole, realizing that Dick and I would probably never see each other again, and that made the finish of a wonderful round of golf a rather sad time for me. That probably sounds strange to you but for some reason we “clicked” and I hated to think that our paths would probably never again cross. I did ask him for his email address, which he gladly gave to me (of course, I gave him mine, as well). When I returned home, I did not wait for Dick to email me; instead, I emailed him—immediately—and he responded just as quickly. Since then, we have emailed several times and in doing so, we have managed to continue, albeit on a limited basis, what I believe the Holy Spirit began in us last April.

Today, I received another email from Dick and I am going to take the liberty of sharing it with you; I have special reason for doing so: “Mac, Just a quick note to let you know our 43-year old son was killed while riding an ATV late Friday night. We are on our way to Pennsylvania for the funeral. I will be conducting the service and delivering the eulogy with the help of a wonderful minister friend - who was my minister for 30 years. I would appreciate your prayers. Blessings, Dick”

My special reason? I would appreciate your prayers for my friend and for his wife, as they make this painful journey to and through their son’s funeral. Dick is a precious man who truly loves Jesus and who sincerely desires to fulfill his calling, as a minister to the local congregation that has been entrusted to his care. His son’s death will leave a huge void in his heart, one that I don’t even want to attempt to imagine. This mother’s heart will never be the same! Yet, I am certain that the Holy Spirit will use this tragic event to strengthen the message that burns passionately within Dick’s heart; to inspire Dick and his lovely wife to encourage others to live, as if today is their last day; and to motivate Dick to faithfully remind others that what is today can suddenly change and life never again be the same.

Dick, if you ever happen to read this, I want to remind you that I thank God for that special day last spring at Hilton Head, when He brought our paths together and you became my friend. I am honored that you asked me to pray for you! My heart grieves with you and for you, and because it does, I am asking believers from Los Angeles to Boston; from Vancouver to Miami; from Seattle to Cincinnati to pray for you and for you wife, as you process your thoughts and feelings in the coming days, weeks, months, and, even years.

I love you, dear brother! Hopefully, our paths will cross again—soon!

Because of Jesus!!

Mac