I owe you so much

This past week a very special man passed on to Glory with his wife by his side.  The italicized section of that sentence is how it was worded in his obituary.  I love the picture that came to my mind as I envisioned him passing on to glory.  And of course I knew his wife would be by his side as I pictured this couple who loved one another deeply throughout their marriage of 51 years.  She had asked the Lord for 50 years of marriage and He gave her one more. :)

The first time I met Lewis and Kathy I was a baby. My parents had recently moved from Ohio to Florida with two little kids.  One night as my mom was driving a car was following her.  These roads we were traveling on were dark, desolate, country roads.  Since my mom was alone with my brother and I she got nervous and turned off onto a road hoping to lose the other vehicle.  They followed her and she turned again and eventually ended up at the Dinkins' farm.  I have no doubt in my mind that the Lord was orchestrating that entire evening and directing my mom's car to introduce our family to theirs.  That night began a friendship that has lasted almost 40 years.

Everyone who met Lewis and Kathy were loved, and loved deeply.  We began attending their church, The Fellowship.  A small church where everyone knew one another and lived life with each other.  It exemplified the word "fellowship" in it's truest form.  I loved going to church!  We also attended their weekly home group.  Some of my favorite memories are showing up at their home in the middle of the week and walking down into their family room.  Does anyone remember sunken living rooms? :) We would worship and then the kids would usually split off into the den to hang out while the adults studied the bible.  I can still remember my dad holding me as we left with my head laying on his chest as I was drifting off to sleep.  I would hear his muffled voice as they finished visiting and were saying their good byes.  I felt such peace, joy and security.  Looking back I realize that I was never aware of the fact that we didn't have family close by to share holidays with because I knew there was always a place at the table for our family at Easter and Thanksgiving.  I can still picture their home and feel the warmth and coziness that would greet you as you entered.  Although, I know it had less to do with the house and more to do with the people who lived there.

Lewis and Kathy became a constant in our lives.  We watched them take care of others, laying down their lives and desires to share the Gospel by living it.  Whether it was helping someone in need, giving an encouraging word, loving others through hard times, they never seemed to tire of loving others as Christ commanded.

For my wedding they were honorary grandparents.  That's how I always pictured them.  My parents, who were in their early 20's when they met, were taken under their wings and loved unconditionally, and my brother and I along with them. :)  This week when I was talking with my dad about Lewis I realized that Lewis was my age when they met.  Time certainly does fly....

Lewis's kidneys have been doing poorly for the past several years, yet they continued hosting bible study and my parents loved to attend as often as they could.  As Lewis's health continued to decline they still welcomed others into their home.  They taught me that others are more important than ourselves.  If only I could live in that same selfless way.

As my dad and I took a moment to share about Lewis after his passing, I asked him how his last visit with him was about a week before his death.  What do you say when you know you are saying good-bye to someone who has been a part of your life since you were a young father and husband?  My dad told me that he said to Lewis, "I owe you so much."  Such a simple statement but FULL of depth.  How can we even begin to put into words what this family has meant to us.  How much Lewis has changed us for the better.  How they provided a much needed friendship for my parents who were young and on their own.  How they gave us a tangible example of loving Christ and loving others.

It makes me think of how many in my life that I could say "I owe you so much".  Thank you Lord for blessing me with others who love me in spite of myself, those who encourage me to draw closer to you, those who make me laugh and help me to have fun....the list could go on and on.

I look forward to joining Lewis in Glory one day so that I can tell him that not only does my dad believe he owes him so much, but so do I.

I am eternally grateful for the love of this family.