While funerals have been common in my life lately, I experienced several new things today. For one thing, I was a pallbearer for the first time. For another, I saw a military funeral with taps, the folding of the flag and presenting it to the spouse of the deceased. I also saw up close the actual burial process.
I’m always contemplative when I go to funerals, but especially today.
Maybe it was because Mr. Gillilan died so suddenly.
Maybe it was because he was so well-respected by many.
Maybe it was because he made such an impact on my life.
Maybe it was because he represents so many things that a man should be.
Maybe it’s because I wish I was more like him.
Indeed, Mr. Gillilan was a unique man in every meaning of the word. Those who met him never forgot him - I would guess he stood about 6-7, 320 pounds. It’s no surprise the Chicago Bears wanted him to play defensive line for them many years ago.
But it wasn’t Mr. Gillilan’s physical size that you remembered most. It was what you learned from him. Mr. Gillilan had the spiritual gift of teaching, and he didn’t even have to say a word to teach you something. The way he treated his wife and daughter, the way he showed genuine care for all who crossed his path, the way he loved his country, the way he was a student of God’s Word, and most of all, the way he loved Yeshua, were enough to teach lessons that could last a lifetime.
As someone said today, Mr. Gillilan was the epitome of what the Bible says we should be: As gentle as doves and as shrewd as serpents. He was a man’s man, but also a compassionate, caring man.
Today as we were driving to Rosewood Cemetery, I considered that one week ago today Mr. Gillilan was living life as usual. He had no idea what was coming. So what do you think he would have done if somebody told him he was going to die the next day? I imagine him smiling and giving a quick, “OK.”
Unlike most of us, Mr. Gillilan was ready to die. We say that a lot when referencing the death of believers, but it’s usually not true. Most of us, if given 24 hours to live, would be running around “fixing” relationships and other things we should have taken care of a long time ago. I doubt Mr. Gillilan would have changed all that much if he had a chance to do it over again. He was truly ready to go.
Why? Because he was living in the center of God’s will. When you are walking with God, you will also be walking in His will. Mr. Gillilan was serving, mentoring, teaching and studying till the day God took him home. It’s hard to imagine what the world would look like if more Christians would live the same way. What a freeing way to live … and die.
What are you supposed to say when a friend calls and says that her husband died earlier that day?
That happened to me last night.
Last week they were at my house for lunch.
Today he’s gone.
Today I was back in the gym, working out harder than I have in several months. It felt great! If there happens to be a person out there who actually read my last post and is somehow reading this one, too…then you have no life. Just kidding! Actually, I was going to say that you already know I had surgery and just returned to the gym.
Today I was amused by two things: First of all, last week’s beautiful weather turned frigorific yesterday, giving way to snow (for eight hours) today. Strange Texas weather.
I was also amused as I intermittently glanced over to see the football team in the weight room. There they were, working hard, preparing for the upcoming season by stretching and straining every fiber of their beings, utilizing every method known to man.
I was struck by the futility of such endeavors in the grand scheme of life. It doesn’t take long at all for those monster muscles to recede into jelly. But even at the pinnacle of a young athlete’s career, the strength of mankind is really quite insignificant.
I read a quote recently by the great theologian John Calvin, who said, ” “As the surest source of destruction is to obey themselves, so the only haven of safety is to have no other will, no other wisdom, than to follow the Lord wherever He leads. Let this, then, be the first step, to abandon ourselves, and devote the whole energy of our minds to the service of God.”
Physical strength is good, but the only true strength that will last comes from the God of the universe. That’s where you can find real power. If we were wise, we would devote ourselves - body, mind and soul - to the advancement of His agenda….Not our own.
Yesterday I went to the gym. While this may not seem noteworthy to some, it was for me. No, I’m not a lazy slob who perpetually sits on the couch eating potato chips and watching television. My gym visit was also not the product of a belated New Year’s resolution (I despise those).
So why am I so excited about being back at the gym? Three words: dual inguinal hernia. Yeah, it hurts just hearing those words. I returned from a fantastic Christmas vacation to Oregon and California to the unwelcome news that I would need surgery … immediately.
I recovered well enough in 3-4 weeks, only to be saddled with some kind of cold that had me coughing and wheezing like a 30-year smoker. Yesterday I was back to my normal self - actually better than ever after enduring discomfort for years.
I plan on being a regular at the Parks Fitness Center the rest of this semester and I hope to see you there. It’s FREE, people! There’s no excuse not to stay in shape at KC.
