Keith
Oddly, I seem to be writing frequently about death these days. And sadly, frustratingly, the friends I write about a lot are folks who shouldn't be facing that quite yet. I think I know why Jesus wept outside the grave of his friend Lazarus; death was never the plan. I think Jesus was reflecting back on Eden and knew what could have been had the world not fallen into sin. Death is the enemy, the final enemy to be defeated.
Sixteen years ago or so, a new pastor came to the Christian Church in town. As a group of pastors, we had all loved well the previous pastor and so there was always this uncertainty about what would happen when "the new guy" came. "The new guy" was Keith, and he jumped right into our fellowship group and joint ministry in town just like he'd always been there.
I didn't always agree with Keith on theological matters. Our pastors' group in those days had pretty much every theological stripe you could think of: Nazarene, Methodist, Evangelical Free, Southern Baptist, Presbyterian, Mennonite, Independent Christian, Disciples of Christ, and sometimes even Lutheran and Catholic. Calvinist and Arminian. Left and Right and Middle. Keith was definitely "left" of me and of many of us, and so we had spirited debates sometimes.
But we all got along because we loved each other and we loved Jesus. It was, I have some to learn, a unique moment in time. A God-moment. And Keith very quickly became a part of that, working together for the sake of God's kingdom rather than our own.
After I was reappointed and left that community, Keith called me one day. He had heard that the eminent scholar Walter Brueggemann was going to be in Chicago for a two-day event. Would I like to go with him? Absolutely! So he picked me up and we spent a wonderful two days in the Windy City. While there, we walked around the city in the afternoon and Keith took me to my first Starbucks. I didn't drink coffee, but there was something on the menu called "Chai Tea Latte." I liked tea, so I ordered that. Yes, Keith is responsible for my current Starbucks Chai Tea addiction, and it's only appropriate that I'm writing this from there today.
Keith left that community, too, and we kept in touch here and there over the years. Then, a while back, I learned he had esophageal cancer. No cancer is kind, but that's a particularly cruel disease for one who has used his voice all of his life (first as a lawyer, then as a pastor—Keith always said he was a "recovering lawyer"). I followed his treatments through the wonderful gift of Facebook and Caring Bridge, and wrote a note from time to time. I wish I had written something every time I thought of him, but I did not.
Sunday, in the afternoon, I learned he was not long for this world. In the evening, about 5:30, Keith passed from this life into the next. My heart was heavy most of the evening—sad for his wife and for his daughters, wishing we could have had one more spirited discussion, thankful for his part in my life. Keith has gone to see his savior, and this world is poorer for his loss. But it's better because he was here.
Cancer is horrible. I don't have to tell you that. It's a thief that robs families and individuals without regard to who they are or what they have been doing. But I have hope in the promise of Jesus, that this world is not the end. The worst thing is never the last thing. There is greater glory ahead, glory that Keith is now tasting and seeing. Rest well, my friend. You fought the good fight and you deserve the rest.
Sixteen years ago or so, a new pastor came to the Christian Church in town. As a group of pastors, we had all loved well the previous pastor and so there was always this uncertainty about what would happen when "the new guy" came. "The new guy" was Keith, and he jumped right into our fellowship group and joint ministry in town just like he'd always been there.
I didn't always agree with Keith on theological matters. Our pastors' group in those days had pretty much every theological stripe you could think of: Nazarene, Methodist, Evangelical Free, Southern Baptist, Presbyterian, Mennonite, Independent Christian, Disciples of Christ, and sometimes even Lutheran and Catholic. Calvinist and Arminian. Left and Right and Middle. Keith was definitely "left" of me and of many of us, and so we had spirited debates sometimes.
But we all got along because we loved each other and we loved Jesus. It was, I have some to learn, a unique moment in time. A God-moment. And Keith very quickly became a part of that, working together for the sake of God's kingdom rather than our own.
After I was reappointed and left that community, Keith called me one day. He had heard that the eminent scholar Walter Brueggemann was going to be in Chicago for a two-day event. Would I like to go with him? Absolutely! So he picked me up and we spent a wonderful two days in the Windy City. While there, we walked around the city in the afternoon and Keith took me to my first Starbucks. I didn't drink coffee, but there was something on the menu called "Chai Tea Latte." I liked tea, so I ordered that. Yes, Keith is responsible for my current Starbucks Chai Tea addiction, and it's only appropriate that I'm writing this from there today.
Keith left that community, too, and we kept in touch here and there over the years. Then, a while back, I learned he had esophageal cancer. No cancer is kind, but that's a particularly cruel disease for one who has used his voice all of his life (first as a lawyer, then as a pastor—Keith always said he was a "recovering lawyer"). I followed his treatments through the wonderful gift of Facebook and Caring Bridge, and wrote a note from time to time. I wish I had written something every time I thought of him, but I did not.
Sunday, in the afternoon, I learned he was not long for this world. In the evening, about 5:30, Keith passed from this life into the next. My heart was heavy most of the evening—sad for his wife and for his daughters, wishing we could have had one more spirited discussion, thankful for his part in my life. Keith has gone to see his savior, and this world is poorer for his loss. But it's better because he was here.
Cancer is horrible. I don't have to tell you that. It's a thief that robs families and individuals without regard to who they are or what they have been doing. But I have hope in the promise of Jesus, that this world is not the end. The worst thing is never the last thing. There is greater glory ahead, glory that Keith is now tasting and seeing. Rest well, my friend. You fought the good fight and you deserve the rest.
Beautiful sentiment for a beautiful man. Thanks for your perspective. I knew Keith through his family. I was the school counselor to whom his daughters were assigned when they moved here. A very charismatic gentleman indeed!
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