chasing the sun

i debated most of yesterday whether or not to post these next few words. It seems so...not enough to honor one of the best men I have ever known.

When I met my friends Kristi and Kara's dad, I thought he was was the most kind and wonderful dad a girl could have. He loved his family and playing spades and was a good basketball player for a 5'7'' skinny white boy. His name was Les and he was smart - he knew Hebrew and Greek and made me want to study the Bible. If crass, flailing emotionalism was responsible for opening my heart to Christ, then Les' wisdom and in-depth teaching was responsible for opening my mind to God's possibilities.


He had spent the last 12 or so years battling Multiple Sclerosis and he finally succumbed to the disease yesterday. He was 55.

He never missed a chance to tell me how proud he was of me and what I was doing with my life. I valued his high opinion and will try to live up to his hopes for me. He taught me so much more than he ever knew, than I ever told him, but I will continue to pursue truth and look deeper into things close to the heart of God - that was his challenge for me.

I never know what to say because I know nothing anyone says ever makes it better or easier. I know he was sick for a long time and I know he loved Jesus and that I will see him again. What is more, I know his entire family will see him again - and that is the legacy he's left us.