A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17 NKJV
When the news came last week that Doug had been in a bad accident on the farm, I wondered if this might be his last. The week that he survived gave us all some time, not only to pray for him and his family but to remember this simple man’s kindness, loyalty to his friends and willingness to help. Doug didn’t read much. Besides repair manuals, the only books I think he ever read were the Boy Scout manual and the Bible. All his life, Doug had struggled with learning. His slight speech impediment also made it difficult for those who were not friends to understand all he said. But at 6 AM on Sunday mornings when the church furnace didn’t come on, Doug got the call. When someone’s car broke down and they couldn’t afford to take it to the garage, he fixed it at his house. Over the thirty plus years we knew him, Doug had rewired two of our homes, and replaced most of the plumbing in one. Doug also helped take care of the farm I managed. When the pipes leaked, the irrigation wouldn’t come on or the fields needed mowing, Doug was there.
But age wasn’t kind with our friend and after a few accidents falling asleep at the wheel, heart surgery and a fire that took out his big garage, Doug was hurting. But just as always, he assured me that he could cut the fields one more year, once he got the old tractor running again and bought 100 gallons of diesel at the crazy high prices of 2022. Then came the phone call that Doug was in intensive care, with nine broken ribs and a collapsed lung. Throughout the last week we all prayed that God would work a miracle and bring him back one more time. But it was not to be. Jesus had made other arrangements for our friend. He had a schedule to keep with the almighty and a home prepared by grace that would never need the furnace serviced. There would be fields to walk through, but never mowed. There is fresh living water that doesn’t run through pipes that freeze up in winter and a place prepared at a table.
No, my friend wasn’t perfect, but he had put His faith in a Savior who was. Despite his failings, he kept hoping to get his kids pointed back in the right direction or help out any neighbor he could. I can hardly believe I can’t call him up today or send him a thank you note for whatever work he had done lately at the farm. Goodbye Doug. May the Lord watch over us both until we meet in that city where there will be no more night, neither tears nor suffering. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for letting us have such a wonderful faithful gentle friend who will be sorely missed.
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This is such a touching tribute to your friend, Pastor Pete. There are plenty of unsung heroes, just like Doug, who keep things up and running. We don’t always hear about them, but we sure recognize when they are no longer with us. Heaven has gained another “Jack of all trades.”😇
Thank you Dave. You are so right and with nothing to fix maybe our Lord will give Doug something beautiful to build.
Beautiful tribute, I will keep his family in my prayers
Thank you. His wife is Mary and they have three adult children: Malcolm, Mirayah and Noah.
Such a beautiful tribute to your dear friend. Saying goodbye to a loved friend is so hard. Prayers for all of you who loved him, especially his wife and children.
So true Patty. Thank you so much.
This is a beautiful tribute, and reading it felt that passion in your loss. Heaven seems to have gained a great soul! ✝️🙏🏼
Thank you Brian. He will be sorely missed. God had a different plan than we did but now we must learn to trust it was best.
Hmm, makes me wonder if the Lord just might let some grass grow taller than it needs to be to give something for Doug to keep doing in Heaven? He’ll surely enjoy getting a Thank You note from the Lord for doing it. 😉
Every time someone I know goes Home, it just makes my longing to go there stronger.
“It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus. Life’s trials will seem so small when we see Christ.
One glimpse of His dear face, all sorrow will erase, so bravely run the race till we see Christ.”
❤️& 🙏, c.a.
Amen my friend. When we see the face of Jesus. Thank you. I am beginning to understand that longing as there are as many friends on the other side than we have on earth.
A touching memorial to your friend. How blessed believers are that we do not grieve as someone without HOPE. We look forward to the day we will gather together in the presence of our King.
What a lovely tribute to a special friend.
Beautiful Pastor Pete! This post shows clearly that those who knew and loved Doug are missing his earthly presence yet rejoicing in His heavenly homecoming.
Thank you Beth. Doug was really a unique guy and special friend.
Sounds like a great man has transitioned home to be with the Lord. Great writing. 🙏🏾❤️
Thanks Anneta.