No, the title of this blog is not referring the the rap tune of the same name. (Although, I am sure all of you jumped to that conclusion...those who know me know that I have always been a huge fan of the hip-hop genre). Nonetheless, I am referring to a saying I once heard in a Sunday School class that went as follows: "You may be the only Bible that someone ever reads". How scary is that?!? I shudder to think of how many people that I have disillusioned through the years had they been reading my "scriptures". (Thank God for GRACE!)
A dear friend of mine died this week. Since his passing, I have spent some time thinking about the above statement and how perfectly my friend exemplified it. He taught me more about true faithfulness than anyone I have ever known. My friend Buddy Gilliland was born 77 years ago with severe cerebral palsy. He attended the same church that my family attended for the the vast majority of those 77 years. Buddy was a walking testament of God's love and the power of attitude. His speech was compromised but if you listened closely you could figure out what he was saying. I assume he got accustomed to repeating himself over and over to those of us who had a hard time understanding him. Most often times, Buddy would give you a big smile and laugh when you simply could not seem to grasp what he was saying...essentially letting you off the hook. He certainly would not want you to feel bad for not being able to understand him...that was Buddy.
Buddy would hitch a ride to my Grandmother's little country store and sit for hours at a time. He would greet everyone that came in the store with a big smile and wave. He was a master at the art of finding great joy in the small things. A pack of gum and a Dr. Pepper would light up his whole world. Buddy should have been the spokesperson for Dr. Pepper. If only we would have had the internet back when he was younger. We could have emailed the tape of Buddy taking his first sip of Dr. Pepper for the day to the Coke company. I am sure the company would have abandoned the lame logo "I would like to give the world a Coke" in favor of Buddy's big ole grin after taking a pull from that magic can.
As he grew more and more disabled I would go to his mother's house a few miles down the road to visit. More often times than not Buddy would be sitting in his room listening to sermons or praise music on tape. He also loved to sit by the road in his wheelchair and wave at passing cars. He had joy in the moment and it was most certainly not of this world. Buddy had the peace and also the joy that passeth all understanding. I know that is not in the Bible but it has been my experience that it is easier to find peace in the common moments than joy. If God's peace is supernatural the I think God's joy is SUPER- supernatural.
I cannot imagine how hard it would be to have a perfect mind that is trapped in a body that quite simply...will not cooperate. I cannot fathom the amount of work it took for him and his sweet parents to make it to church each Sunday. My brain cannot comprehend the amount of pain and discomfort he experienced on a daily basis. He had every excuse to be bitter. He had every reason to be angry at God. He made the choice to trust God and His infinite wisdom. He chose to believe that his cerebral palsy was not an accident or that God just happened to be on vacation that day. God allowed Buddy to touch many lives through his wonderful example of a life well lived. He did not have the luxury of using words as a crutch with regard to his testimony. Buddy had to depend on the power of his example to be the Bible that everyone who knew him was blessed to have read. There is no doubt in my mind that on this past Monday evening my friend was met at the the pearly gates by Saint Peter (probably holding the huge diamond and gold encrusted goblet filled to the brim with the most syrupy, sweet Dr. Pepper ever to have passed human or heavenly lips) . A perfect homecoming gift before hearing what we all hope to hear one day..."well done, my good and faithful servant!" I can only imagine his smile as he hears those words come from the the God he knew so well.
I feel so incredibly thankful to have been a privy to the beautiful dance that was the life of Buddy Gilliand. You will be missed my sweet friend. See you in a few.
A dear friend of mine died this week. Since his passing, I have spent some time thinking about the above statement and how perfectly my friend exemplified it. He taught me more about true faithfulness than anyone I have ever known. My friend Buddy Gilliland was born 77 years ago with severe cerebral palsy. He attended the same church that my family attended for the the vast majority of those 77 years. Buddy was a walking testament of God's love and the power of attitude. His speech was compromised but if you listened closely you could figure out what he was saying. I assume he got accustomed to repeating himself over and over to those of us who had a hard time understanding him. Most often times, Buddy would give you a big smile and laugh when you simply could not seem to grasp what he was saying...essentially letting you off the hook. He certainly would not want you to feel bad for not being able to understand him...that was Buddy.
Buddy would hitch a ride to my Grandmother's little country store and sit for hours at a time. He would greet everyone that came in the store with a big smile and wave. He was a master at the art of finding great joy in the small things. A pack of gum and a Dr. Pepper would light up his whole world. Buddy should have been the spokesperson for Dr. Pepper. If only we would have had the internet back when he was younger. We could have emailed the tape of Buddy taking his first sip of Dr. Pepper for the day to the Coke company. I am sure the company would have abandoned the lame logo "I would like to give the world a Coke" in favor of Buddy's big ole grin after taking a pull from that magic can.
As he grew more and more disabled I would go to his mother's house a few miles down the road to visit. More often times than not Buddy would be sitting in his room listening to sermons or praise music on tape. He also loved to sit by the road in his wheelchair and wave at passing cars. He had joy in the moment and it was most certainly not of this world. Buddy had the peace and also the joy that passeth all understanding. I know that is not in the Bible but it has been my experience that it is easier to find peace in the common moments than joy. If God's peace is supernatural the I think God's joy is SUPER- supernatural.
I cannot imagine how hard it would be to have a perfect mind that is trapped in a body that quite simply...will not cooperate. I cannot fathom the amount of work it took for him and his sweet parents to make it to church each Sunday. My brain cannot comprehend the amount of pain and discomfort he experienced on a daily basis. He had every excuse to be bitter. He had every reason to be angry at God. He made the choice to trust God and His infinite wisdom. He chose to believe that his cerebral palsy was not an accident or that God just happened to be on vacation that day. God allowed Buddy to touch many lives through his wonderful example of a life well lived. He did not have the luxury of using words as a crutch with regard to his testimony. Buddy had to depend on the power of his example to be the Bible that everyone who knew him was blessed to have read. There is no doubt in my mind that on this past Monday evening my friend was met at the the pearly gates by Saint Peter (probably holding the huge diamond and gold encrusted goblet filled to the brim with the most syrupy, sweet Dr. Pepper ever to have passed human or heavenly lips) . A perfect homecoming gift before hearing what we all hope to hear one day..."well done, my good and faithful servant!" I can only imagine his smile as he hears those words come from the the God he knew so well.
I feel so incredibly thankful to have been a privy to the beautiful dance that was the life of Buddy Gilliand. You will be missed my sweet friend. See you in a few.
It brought joy to my heart and tears to my eyes as i remember the joy that he brought into my life and many outhers thanks for your thoughts and the love you showed to him in his life for i know he loved You Jimmy
ReplyDeleteThat hit the nail on the head! He had a way of always making you smile. To this day I can't look at a pack of juicy fruit gum without thinking of my sweet Uncle Buddy! :) I know that he danced his way through that gate, and he was greeted by many including my sweet Nana. He was a great example of how we all need to live and trust in God's grace.
ReplyDeleteYou did a wonderful Job!
~Kali