I Enjoy You.

Last night Lea and I spent several hours Zooming with friends that are newlyweds. We had the joy of participating with them in their wedding weekend near the end of 2020. Listening to them talk about what the first four months of marriage have been like was special, encouraging and faith building. Hearing about how God has been helping them begin marriage during a pandemic was very stirring. I just really enjoyed them. I enjoyed watching Lea's beauty and energy as she engaged with our friends about the mystery of marriage. Enjoying people, really slowing to enjoy them, the intricacy of who they are and how God has and is shaping them through delight and pain, is something that Larry Crabb has very intentionally influenced me to consider.

Again, someone might be thinking, "Good Lord man, does there have to be some subtle angle to everything you write about? Just enjoy the person already!" Well, yes, I hear that, but I am drawn to push a little further to acknowledge the very real tendency and pull in me towards just "routining" my way through life and not actually really slowing to pay attention to what is happening in the soul that is in front of me at any given moment. And mine. Larry Crabb aggressively pressed in and taught me about that. He hasn't stopped talking about it right up to these very days.

Why am I thinking about this? Larry Crabb is dying. His family has recently updated that his health is declining very rapidly and they have now called in hospice to tend him. He is closer to a new reality. Larry has taught me about slowing to enjoy and experience the intimacy and intricacy of another human being who is in front of me at any given moment. So I think that's why I'm writing this today.

I am enjoying Larry.

I am slowing to notice the death and imminent death of two strategic mentors in my life, Tim Tinsley, now in heaven and Larry Crabb, nearing it.

I have really enjoyed the two of you.

Tim, I remember being with you on my high school football field and you throwing me passes. I remember your laugh. I remember you taking me seriously. I remember your teaching. I remember that you needed the grip of Jesus. WITH.

Larry, I remember watching my wife kiss you on the cheek in Colorado (with your permission) as a tangible thank you for the way you have kissed our lives with truth and longing and holy relating. I remember your passion for eternity within one single conversation over coffee. I remember you needing Jesus today as your health fails. I remember you loving your wife and sons and their wives. I remember you loving to be PopPop to your grandkids. I remember you teaching me. WITH.

Larry's words.

"Most people go through their entire life never speaking words to another human being that come out of what is deepest within them, and most people never hear words that reach all the way into that deep place we call the soul."

I heard you Larry.

Thank you.

Bible book of Revelation. Chapter 21. Verses 5-7.

"And He who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also He said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” And He said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. The one who conquers will have THIS HERITAGE, and I will be his God and he will be My son.

This heritage.

There's more.