November 22 2017 – Click here to listen
A friend of mine, Jimmy Galloway, was called home by the Lord yesterday. He had a melanoma some thirty years prior and it was successfully removed; however, 7 months ago it came back with a vengeance. Once again he fought a valiant battle against it, but it ravaged his body and this time he could not defeat it.
I was reviewing some of my correspondence with him this morning and he’d sent me a photo of a statue of a girl in front of M.D. Anderson cancer treatment facility in Houston Texas. He told me it was his favorite. The hand of the little girl is out-stretched and there is a hummingbird resting on her finger. Below the sculpture is a plaque inscribed with a poem penned by Victor Hugo:
“Be like the bird, who
Halting in his flight
On limb too slight
Feels it give way beneath him
Yet sings
Knowing he has wings.”
This is typical of the mindset of Jimmy. He faced death, but did not fear it in the least and continued to “sing” praises to our Lord right up until the moment he took on wings like an eagle and soared. His perspective was summed up nicely just a few days ago when he wrote:
“This has been quite a seven-month journey. We have been so blessed with wonderful family and friends that have supported us so strongly along the way. In addition, God has placed so many caregivers there as well. Lots of witness both ways. God is so very good! As you and I discussed several weeks ago, there was no win or loss in this situation . . . No matter what, we win. Had a lot left to do on earth, and who knows may still have the opportunity to do it. If not, I know my eternal home is ready . . . excited is an understatement! I love you my brother . . . See you when it’s your appointed moment.
Jimmy”
Note at the very end of his life:
- He was thanking God for his blessings
- He was witnessing to those who surrounded him
- He hoped for more opportunity to do more of the same
- And he was genuinely excited about entering heaven and seeing Jesus
My friend was not worried about the “limb being too slight,” because he knew the “wings” of Jesus would lift him in flight to soar like an eagle forever.
Oh my friend Jimmy, I too look forward to seeing you in all the splendor of our newly glorified bodies afforded to us by our Savior.
I pray this morning that you are like Jimmy, fully confident that you have wings that will lift you on high when the frail limb upon which you rest fails. Wings that will lift you to heaven can only come from having faith in Jesus Christ.
At this special time of year when we thank Almighty God for what He does and has done for us, a deep look into what we have done for Him is in order. I’ve been thinking about it since I got the news about Jimmy.
I have another birthday this coming Sunday and I know I’m another year closer to the end of my journey on earth. I pray that I will find renewed strength to work harder for the Lord and one day finish my race well and fight the good fight every step of the way just like my friend Jimmy did.
I feel sure Jesus said to Jimmy yesterday morning, “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”.
And as Jimmy and I discussed on so many occasions, AND NOW THE FUN BEGINS!
Luke 22:29
And I bestow on you a kingdom, just as My Father has bestowed on Me . . .