Death to the Christian is the funeral of all his sorrows and evils
and the resurrection of all his joys.
James H. Aughey
But Don would not want us to focus on our sorrow. When he first announced to the faculty that the doctors had discovered cancer, he made it clear that he and Katie would not be focusing on the pain and sadness but on thankfulness and trust. And Don, always a man of his word, did just that. He demonstrated his thankfulness and trust in God as he underwent treatments and endured the pain. Everyone he encountered saw this testimony of God’s grace. He longed to be back with the students he loved and pushed aside the pain so that he could spend more time with them. In the spring, he wanted so badly to be released from the hospital in time for the awards assembly—and the Lord granted him his desire. Earlier this semester, he would come to school in spite of the illness and was buoyed up just by being in the gym with the boys whom he loved—always thankful, always trusting.
But how was that possible? It was because of his faith in Christ and because of Christ’s finished work on the cross. Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God, paid the penalty of our sin and conquered death. Having trusted in Him, Christians no longer have to fear death. Instead, we anticipate the welcoming arms of our loving Father. Don is with the Lord today, and his death challenges us to consider eternity—“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him” (John 3:36).
Thank you, Don, for your example in life…and in death. We love you, and we miss you.