It has been a season of uncertainty on the Central Coast, a
season of “really…” as of late. From the
news of a dear friend being presented with a death sentence ensuing from a life
threatening disease, to the untimely and massively difficult loss of a much
loved teen named Riley, sometimes life doesn’t make much sense. You see, two of my buddies have been fighting
with vigor, passion, and resolve through life’s agitating moments, namely,
their looming departure from this earth.
Both Bill and Riley have my utmost respect, honor and “I want to be like
them” imbedded in my soul.
Riley was fifteen when that ugly,
much hated disease called Leukemia consumed his body. It was at 1:30am on Valentine’s Day when
Riley closed his physical eyes for the last time. I received the news a few hours later. I’ll never forget it. I was at my home office, doing paper work
when I received a text about Riley’s entrance into eternity. I sank in my chair in dismay, with frequent
tears and emotions that aren’t supposed to be.
Riley was one of those very special ones; a kid never in trouble, polite,
full of life and the one that would look you in the eye & speak with
character and depth (a rare characteristic in today’s youth). A few months back, as an example of Riley’s person,
I sent him a text telling him I’m praying for him. He was residing in a Fresno hospital bed, not
able to snack on what most teens consume, nor enjoy the niceties of the
adolescent life that so many appreciate.
Check out what Riley texted me back, “Thank you so much, my parents need
more prayers than myself.” Wow! Not a complaint, a protest or even the hint
of a grumbling spirit. Quite the
opposite. We celebrate the life of Riley
next week; we expect record numbers to show up to display their love for this
phenomenal young man. Riley was about
the other. Riley was considerate. Riley was humble. Riley was amazing. I want to be like Riley!
Bill and I have known each other for
over 40 years. Bill was the Fire Chief
at the City of Santa Ana, the President of the Booster Club and the father of a
friend of mine. Last Spring, I was
informed on a Sunday morning that an old friend from Edison High School moved
to Morro Bay and was in the audience.
When I took the stage to teach, I perused the congregation looking for a
young man, you know, a guy my age. I
didn’t recognize anyone from the old days.
After church this confident, good looking man came up and said
hello. Immediately I knew it was Bill
Sr. He introduced me to his lovely bride
Maria and we hugged. From that day to
today, we’ve had a kindred spirit, a closeness that the Book calls closer than
blood. Bill is a remarkable man; a dude
full of class, dignity and character.
Every Tuesday, we’ve spent time together growing in our faith and in our
friendship. Countless discussions,
dinners, hanging out times have taught me once again what it means to be a
man. This last November, Bill was
diagnosed with stage 4 cancer; just a week ago, the medical profession gave my
dear friend less than two months on this earth.
Bill’s response to this death sentence has me baffled. I know how I would react, most likely
opposite of what I’m witnessing. You
see, Bill has a way about him that is embracing, real, genuine, and
authentic. “How are you Bill?” His response every time, “Randy, I have a
peace from God that is keeping me. I
will be healed, this side or that side.
I know it is all going to be okay.”
My thoughts are “…come on, seriously?”
But you know, Bill and Maria really believe this. They know that they know that they know this uncertainty has a certainty in the loving presence of their God. Bill is loved. Bill is the real deal. Bill is amazing. I want to be like Bill!
Uncertainty is an emotion of the
unknown, not having a sure grasp on the future.
When I think of Riley, when I think of Bill, I think the opposite. I am certain
that Riley is with His Maker, enjoying the benefits of what the writer of Psalm
23 wrote three millennia ago, “… surely goodness and mercy shall follow Riley all the days of his life and Riley will dwell in the house of the
Lord forever.” I am certain that Bill will be absent from his failing physical body and
present with His Lord when that time comes.
I’m confident, 100% in both instances.
The uncertainty comes
flooding in when I look to my own limited understanding on these disturbing
moments of my, our existence. However,
as a Pastor of a local church, as a Chaplain of the MBPD, I also know with certainty that the God Riley is with
and the God that Bill loves is in control of the affairs of this life. Granted, I may not understand, I perhaps
don’t agree with what I see or experience.
However, that really doesn’t matter because as both Riley espoused and
Bill lives, the uncertainty of life
is lost when one’s attention and affection is on the certain love of a God far higher than us humans.
In short, thanks for reading and
putting up with my tears sprinkled on this article. If you’re in a season of uncertainty, as I, glean from two of my heroes and implement Riley
and Bill’s example of the certainty
of their relationship with their Creator.
