Sitting in a dark living room, our baby boy had fallen asleep across Brent’s lap. I looked at him and wondered what he will grow up to be like. We began talking about how today would have been Heath’s 28th birthday. We rarely go a day without talking about him. This time we spent a while talking about him.Brent recalled how carefree Heath was as boy. And, how he was the most likeable kid around. I remembered what it was like for him when he had to face the cares of the world… school, money, and time. We decided that if he were alive, he would have a job that dealt totally with loving on people. Heath's life means so much to us in different ways. We have such a deep love for him. Both of us are forever changed by his life and death.
Some things we can learn from Heath:
Care about people. Take time to have fun. Play so hard you wear out your shoes. Smile a lot. Laugh loud. Just talk to people, even if you don’t know em’. Your relationship with God is not defined by how much you read the Bible. Your relationship with God is about the attitude of your heart toward God and loving what He loves. Hug a child. Heck, hug every single child you see! Sing to God with everything in you. A good work ethic will give you true satisfaction. Scary movies are scary. Go for your dreams. Learn something new. Music is good for the soul. Respect people. Love people. Never give up on people. And, you really can do all things through Christ who gives you strength.
It is such a wonderful thing when we see people who remind us of him… his laugh, his smile, his stature, his personality. What a wonderful thing to be in a moment of such intense worship of God, that you wonder if Heath is doing the same thing in heaven at that moment. What a wonderful thing to embrace beautiful memories and let go of painful ones.
God is with us in tragedy. If we are still on this earth, then there is more life for us to live. There is a purpose, a plan for us. When we die, let’s leave something worth remembering.
Below is an old video of Shane Bernard and Shane Everett performing Breath of God. This is one of the first songs Heath and a buddy learned to play together. It was one of those songs he loved. Check it out.
Heath is a person I missed the opportunity of knowing in this life, and I looks so forward to meeting him on the other side. This is an amazing story of beauty from ashes and how God truly takes all things and circumstances and uses them for the good of his people...if we will allow him.
ReplyDeleteLove you all so much.
I want to embrace life as Heath did.
Sandy G.
Heath was about the same age as one of my sons, and though I never knew him extremely well, I watched him grow up and thought he would become a fine young man. I was deeply saddened by his death, as I know that many in our community were, and none more so than his family and his closest friends. In life and in death he touched a lot of people. I trust he is happier now than he ever was on this earth. Thanks for posting this; I'm sure it was bittersweet.
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