What Happened?

06/02/2009 – “The Seeker”

 

On Thursday May 28, 2009 at about 12:30 in the afternoon I received a call at my office from Dan Shinners.  It was not an unexpected call.  I received a call from Pappy’s Daughter Amy the day before, and I knew Pappy was not doing well.  Danny told me that Pappy had gone home to the Father about an hour ago.

 

Admittedly this has been a tough year for me personally.  I must also say that Pappy (I mostly addressed him as Jim) was a great comfort to me even while he suffered through his valiant battle with the cancers that ravaged his body. 

 

At this year’s Blessing of the Bikes at Battlefield Harley-Davidson, Jim addressed those gathered to offer some simple but profoundly sincere reflections on his suffering, his Faith, and the support of all who Love him.

 

As I have recently moved much of my mail is still being forwarded to my new address, so it’s a little slow getting to me.  Yesterday I received the May 2009 “Rolling Saints” Newsletter prepared by Jim.  Up to his last breath Jim continued to reach out to others, not dwelling upon his own dire health condition.

 

I must admit that when Jim passed on to reside with the Father I was lost for a few days.  My mind was consumed with questions.  How could Jim be gone?  How would his Wife “Maggie” get on with life?  What about the “Rolling Saints,” can we hold the TEAM together?  What should I say through our Website?  Would friends who looked to Jim for a miracle of healing loose faith now?  What happened, and what will come?

 

The “Rolling Saints” Website was updated with Jim’s obituary on Monday the first of June, for I still did not know what to say.  It was as if putting it in print for me would force me to find answers to all the questions swirling in my head.

 

All the answers Jim knew through Faith was the source of his great peace, which allowed him to let go of this life to embrace life eternal.  Jim is not gone, just gone on.  It is left to all of us to carry on all that Jim started.  The questions never should have been what will we do without Jim?  The question should be what will we who have been so blessed by having known Jim in mortal life go on to do in our mortal lives to carry on God’s missions Jim has left for us to complete.

 

Thank you God, for blessing us so richly with this great man.  Thank you God, for relieving Jim from his intense suffering.  Now we pray that you, Lord, will make us worthy and capable of carrying-on the work, and displaying the great Faith, of our beloved departed Brother.

 

What happened?  God’s will, is what happened, and now it is time for us to understand that Jim has been healed, and that he was, and is, a great gift of God.  God has blessed us all by allowing Jim to be part of our lives.  May we all find a deeper understanding, of God, of Love,  and the wonder of his great works in the wake of Jim’s journey.