Monday, January 23, 2006

The summer of 1994, my father took ill. My family and I were in Virginia visiting Lynae and her family, at the time. A phone call revealed that dad had cancer... pancreatic cancer, the same cancer that claimed the life of his older sister, just years before.

We were told the odds of two people in the same family contracting this form were astronomical. Odds did not matter, because God had a plan.

Dad was diagnosed in early July. On August 26th, he went home to be with my Father in Heaven.

During his illness, a friend who was a brother in Christ, gave him a masculine looking music box. The kind of piece that would have been at home on a ship's bridge, as it was adorned (as I recall) with similar design. When wound, it offered up "What a Friend We Have in Jesus," as it's treasure.

The piece sat on my father's hospital bed table. We were fortunate enough to have him at home for the last weeks before he passed. I remember dad listening to that song. I remember how ready he was to greet his friend, Jesus. He had led a Christ-like life, and was an incredible example. He went home on his younger sister Maralyn's birthday. I will never forget being at his side as he drew his last breath.

I wish I could remember if it was a birthday or Christmas in which this next thing happened. I cannot even recall if it was that year, or a couple years later. BJ and his grandpa were very close. As I am sure I have shared (forgive me if I repeat myself, please), the ultrasound Deanna had while pregnant with Beej revealed that he was a girl. When he was born, dad was thrilled to have a grandson... his first, and the last he would know.

Anyway, for that special day, my mother gave BJ a very special gift. He unwrapped that same music box. Beej, unlike his dad, seldom cried. This brought forth a torrent of emotion, as he remembered winding it, and listening to it with his grandpa.

I would often hear that box playing it's melody at night after he had scurried off to bed, or during moments alone in his room with the door shut, as he would remember that man who loved him so much.

Not long ago, I found that little melodic memory, stowed in a safe place with other treasures he received from his grandpa. Winding it just one more time, brought back a vision of their times together.

I will never forget being at his side, when he drew his last breath. The music that reminds me most of him is different than that of his grandpa, but the bond and memories they shared in their short years together, will ever be etched within.

The legacy left behind by these two incredible men of God was clearly part of His plan. I don't understand it, nor can I say that I would have done it that way, but His ways are higher than my ways, and for this I am thankful.

I too, look forward to the day when I can greet my friend, Jesus!

dad


Wednesday of this week I have the privilege of speaking to a few students at Mooresville High School. This coming Sunday Lauren is speaking at a church in Marion, In. and that night I will be sharing with student at ECC in Ft. Wayne, In.
I would ask that you would lift up each of the body who hears, that they would discern what the Lord has for them.

16 Comments:

At 9:00 AM, Blogger Melissa said...

Brent, I love the fact that you are all going out into the world to share BJ's story and the word of God that he so treasured. You're going to my old stomping grounds in Fort Wayne. I hope your life is as enriched by spreading the word as I'm sure you'll enrich lives.

God bless you all in your travels!

 
At 9:55 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I love reading these stories, and whenever I remember I will. This blog has been used in awesome ways. You guys have blessed my heart.

Chelsea Jacobson
Carlsbad CA

 
At 11:29 AM, Blogger the leaf family said...

Brent I love that you share these precious moments of BJ with us.. Scott and I thought of him last night.. We recalled the time when some of the kids on Wednesday night hassled him about always having the answer... Apparently the other kids didn't answer because they depended on BJ for the right answer and he would always offer it up.. So BJ decided he wouldn't give anymore of the answers (and didn't) Scott and Vicki M. spoke with him and reminded him that his answers came from Jesus and he shouldn't let the other students stop him from sharing and of course he continued giving answers just as Jesus instructed him... What a wonderful, bright young man.. We love and miss him very much...
I will be praying for you and Lauren as you go and share your answers... words.. that come from Jesus.. Thank You .. With all our love and prayers from KC-Scott and Tracy

 
At 12:07 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

i will be praying for you guys!

i just got home from my ECHO.. the doctor said its related to the medicine i'm on. so.. its easy enough.. i just wish they woulda figured it out before all these tests!!

anyway. love you guys. praying for you daily..
~kristin

 
At 2:37 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

"I'll fall facedown as Your glory shines around" - Matt Redman

 
At 3:19 PM, Blogger Scott Harris said...

I think about y'all all the time, and usually when I do I stop and say a little prayer for all the Higgins'. I love you guys. It was awesome being able to see Whitney and Lauren once again during Passion. God did awesome things through BJ and is still continueing to do so. I grew more in the months right after I got home then I did in Indiana. I am really blessed to have met all y'all Higgins'.

 
At 3:40 PM, Blogger Lynn Dailey said...

Brent and Lauren,
I will be saying extra prayers for you this week as you allow yourselves to be used by the Father. May the words you share touch the hearts of those present and bring glory and honor to the Lord. Thank you for your continued willingness to go and be used by Him. I love you dearly.
Lynn

 
At 5:31 PM, Blogger Barbara Ann said...

Its great the memories that God brings up, even at the right time that we need them. I remember always havng lunch at my grandmas house in between classes. She would always have sandwiches ready, with the chip container nearby, and then pop in the BeeGees CD. And all through lunch she would sing "Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah, stayin alive, stayin alive." She would always crack me up. Then the week before Spring Break 2003 she went home to be with the Lord. No more BeeGees singin. But as I think of the singing that she is doing with our Savior I get so excited! Its even better than the BeeGees! Ah, man!

Love you guys...

Barbara Ann

 
At 5:44 PM, Blogger Aunt Maralyn & Uncle Ray said...

Today's entry certainly brought back memories and emotions for me.
While I was gone I sure missed this web site. While at Bob & Donna's I could read it on their computer.
We will be praying for you and Lauren as you share this weekend.
You are always in our thoufhts and prayers.
Love, Aunt Maralyn

 
At 7:18 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thank you for continually sharing. I am always moved and encouraged by reading. God Bless You and will be praying for your family this weekend.
Indianapolis

 
At 8:09 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

any thoughts of you coming to KC to speak? i go to the same church as tracy leaf, and i know alot of our youth would be touch to hear your story.

 
At 8:16 PM, Blogger Kalliopi Psalm said...

Thanks for continuing the stories. Your words always brighten my day. Still praying for you and the fam. Much love.

 
At 10:48 PM, Blogger Praying in Pink said...

I know it comforts me to think of my Grandma somehow holding my baby son in heaven. . . how special to think of the fellowship BJ and his beloved grandpa share with Jesus there!

Grandparents are so important in the lives of grandchildren. God has specifically designed that bond to allow unique communication rarely fulfilled by the parent-child bond.

Once again, what an awesome family God has given you! I know that BJ's legacy actually began a long time before his own life . . . and it will continue long past the ending of that same earthly life.

Praying for hearers AND sharers on Wednesday, Sunday, and beyond--praying for you, Lauren and Whitney, and the challenges of your schoolwork, too--

Marti

 
At 11:39 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I think that sometimes when we lose a loved one the only thing that can keep us going is the knowing of God having a plan and that everything must fall into place. God never wastes a hurt and though it hurts at the moment and even later it is always a reminder of the plan that we don't realize and may never realize untill the day we leave this earth. I am praying for you all and Whitney and Lauren in school.
*Marissa

 
At 8:55 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Miss you BJ
We all miss you BJ
you are sooo often in our thoughts,
conversation and prayers.
YOU HAVE BLESSED US ALL!!
lkg
Indpls., IN

 
At 6:49 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

Thanks for your daily writings. Looking forward to seeing you in Ft Wayne this Sunday...
The Andersons
ECC Fort Wayne

 

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