Today marked a sad day, it was funeral of a good friend of mine. I wouldn't really call him my friend per se, but I can vouch that he was a good person. He was the kind of person that everyone wish they could be. When you needed a hand, he was always glad to give it plus more. When you just needed to talk, he was your silent comforter. When there was something to be done, he was the person to get things done. Name it, he did it. Events, parties, mission trips, visitations, meetings. He was always there, and even when he wasn't he made tremendous effort to catch up. He made me jealous. I was jealous at his ability to carry on. I was jealous at his strive for excellence. He conquered whatever the world had in store for him. From the little things like washing the cups and mopping the floor, to holding a meeting and planning a huge event. He was in every ministry, yet he never complained. Not always anyways...
I remember he once said that he was tired, but he had no choice but to continue as no one else was able to take up the responsibility. He never liked leaving things half done. He never liked unfinished business. He persevered even from the most mundane tasks to the most complicated formulation. He did his best in everything.
Over the years, he just looked more and more tired. Over the years, his strength waned. But he still carried on. In every ministry and more. He gave his all. Even with all the workload, he never gave up a chance for a good one-on-one with whoever was around him. He remembered the names of almost everyone, and he kept updated. How he found the time, I'll never know, but as I sat there hearing the floods of testimonies about this good man who gave all he had, I can't help but be dumbfounded and ashamed. There were orphans who went up to talk about the times he spent celebrating Christmas with them. There were a group of singers who sang one of the saddest songs I've ever heard and said that he never missed any of their performances...and the list is endless. From homeless men to rich investors, there was not one area of life that he didn't touch.
Well, the sad news is this. He is gone and we have to bare the absence of our beloved brother, devoted anchor, and loving friend. We have to bare the absence of a man who truly was self-sacrificial.
Who can replace him? Who can even try? The commitment he handled alone would be overwhelming for any one man. Who can we call upon now when something needs cleaning or some soul nears an ear? Who can we call upon now when someone needs a lift that is out of the way?
I end this speech with this quote: "It has never been about what life had to offer me, it has been about what am I doing with this life I'm given."
You will be truly missed our dear brother, may you find the reward that you have earned tenfold over.
Rest in Peace, Someone Else.
*this is a fictional work*
