Remembering A Dear Brother

Hello everyone. It has been a little challenging writing this blog post, but I will tough through it for a dear brother in Christ.

Over a week ago, as I was getting ready to exit the house for another day of being on my feet for 8 hours, I received a text from my dad saying that Danyon, one of our church members, had gone to sleep. Even though I was fortold that he might not pull through, part of me was still hoping for a miracle to happen.

The last time I saw Danyon was a couple of weeks prior in the hospital. I had just come off work and it was the perfect opportunity to visit with him. As he laid on the hospital bed, with his wife Tammy sitting at his side, he had a smile on his face. This man expressed how he could not wait to get back to church. I love the Lord, but sometimes I don’t feel like even getting up to go to church after being comfy under the sheets of my bed. And sometimes I would like to have some time to myself to enjoy the sabbath in my own way. But not Danyon. He was one of the few souls I knew who hated to miss church, even when he was in pain and needes to heal up.

Also, during my short visit and last interaction with Danyon, I talked about how sometimes I get a little overwhelmed and stressed from time to time. One type of medicine, as I explained to him andTammy, that helps me during those times is music. It was a blessing to witness to Danyon through music all those times he was well enough for church and when I did get up to sing before the congregation. This time I chose to sing the song In His Time.

In His time

In His time

He makes all beautiful

In his time

Lord please show me everyday

As you’re teaching me your way

That you do just what you say

In your time

In your time

In your time

You make all things beautiful

In your time

Lord my life to you I bring

May each song I have to sing

Be to you a lovely thing

In your time

Two hours after hearing the unfortunate news about Danyon, I had gone to the hospital chapel. It’s my go to place when I’m deeply troubled and need a quiet place to pause from the rest of the world and pray. As I kneeled on the floor, tears streaming from my aching eyes, soaking into my beard, I thought to myself, One less smile in this world. After dabbing at my eyes with my sleeve, I scrolled through the contacts on my phone and called up Courtni. Sure enough she answered. Though it seemed different for me to call while at work, she didn’t seem to mind that I broke the norm. She listened to my cries and reassured me that it was good that I knew and cared about Danyon, and that I should take comfort in knowing he is no longer in pain.

I couldn’t attend the funeral due to my work schedule, but I was fully available to show up for the wake. For about ten minutes, I stood in the small lobby of the funeral home, not quite ready to look at the body. Something about empty shells that bothers me. I don’t even like walking past the cold morgue at my job when the door occasionally opens. Nonetheless, I got myself together and paid my respects.

Though I hate that death is tragically a part of his mortal life, at least my dear brother in Christ isn’t hurting and in and out of hospitals anymore. His desire to be in the house of God, his kindness, and smile will be missed by his friends, family, and church family. I know I will see him again at the second coming of Christ, but I hope also to see him enter God’s eternal kingdom, as I hope I can be there too.

I know quite a few people who are mourning loved ones. My prayers and thoughts go out to you. Please don’t try to handle anything on your own. Encircle yourself with those who love you. And please lean on Christ.

God Bless.

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