Jeff was my friend through the 70’s. He was athletic, smart,
funny and artistic. A group of athletes from his high school became involved in
Young Life, due to the work of a young pastor. This pastor met these young men
and women right where they were. They came to know Jesus, and they were
changed, all of them, including Jeff.
At some point over
the years, Jeff lost his way. I heard about him through the grapevine and saw
him once or twice over the decades. As we moved into our early forties, I heard
he was sick, due to liver failure. The alcohol on the path he chose caught up
with him far too soon.
I spoke with his
brother a couple of times and said a quick prayer here and there for Jeff. Our
family, in January of 2004, was living in a small rented townhouse due to a
house fire that destroyed our entire home as it was covered with black
soot-filled smoke. It was a numb-fatigued-filled seven months to say the least,
with inventories, finding ways to comfort our young adolescent daughters, and
working with a construction company that left much to be desired.
One day, I needed a break from listing each
and every treasured possession we had lost. I went for a walk to clear my head.
When I walked in the door of our small, empty, temporary home, I dropped to my
knees in prayer for Jeff. I can’t explain it. It has only happened to me a
couple of times. But deep grief, tears, moaning and groaning through the Holy Spirit
poured from me for almost two hours. I don’t know what was going on with Jeff,
but I knew God was at work through me and others on his behalf.
In the
same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to
pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us through wordless
groans. Romans 8:26
Not long after this
Spirit-filled time, I sent Jeff a card along with some old pictures. His
brother had told me that Jeff was having trouble forgiving himself and he was
not allowing himself to die, even though the time was near. I knew that even though
Jeff had temporarily walked away from Him, Jesus had never left his side. He
had been forgiven before anything was done and he just needed to forgive
himself. I reminded Jeff of some of the fond memories we shared, told him I
prayed he would find peace and accept forgiveness, and reminded Him of the
unending love of Christ.
His brother told me
at Jeff’s funeral this card was on the side of his bed when he died. This must
be a week for tears. I am astounded at the moving of the Holy Spirit within our
lives. Back in January of 2004 my body, mind and emotions did not want to take
two hours to pray for someone I had not been involved with for two decades.
God asks us to move
out of our comfort zones, and He asks us to help others in the midst of our own
suffering. In fact, that may be one of the ways we come out of our times of
suffering, by reaching out, not only to lean on others, but to bless them.
Is the Spirit
prompting you today to pray, to send a card, to make a phone call, to speak
with a troubled neighbor even when it’s inconvenient? Is it time to stop in our
busy lives, and drop to our knees in prayer for someone and respond to the Holy
Spirit above everything happening in our lives? We couldn’t do it on our own.
Praise be
to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and
the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can
comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from
God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Jeff remained a child of God. Jesus
was using Jeff even during these years of self-condemnation. Jeff is missed. He
is in heaven. One day we will see his crooked grin and those big blue eyes as
we savor the peace and joy of heaven.
Jesus,
It is impossible to comprehend Your timing, Your love and Your
fore knowledge of what we need when we need it. Guide us to do what you ask
without question, even when it is inconvenient or seemingly impossible.
Amen
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