I know a man named Frank.  I say this sentence in present tense because even though Frank’s body died on Monday he is still alive.  I cannot tell you how this man encouraged me during my journey through Cancerland.  Having ALS for years, he has been acquainted with the fact that bodily death comes to every man.  His body has been giving way to it for a long time.  However, his spirit did not.  While his physical body was dying, his spirit was growing.  His love for God is evident to all that know him.  His desire to be with Jesus rules his days.  And now, he is there, where he has dreamed of going so many times. 

Frank loves to worship.  The disease stole the ability to play an instrument, but instead of hindering him, it inspired Frank to find new ways to worship.  For me, he made CD’s of Christian songs for me to listen to while undergoing chemo.  The songs were full of messages of hope and faith.  He knew the toll facing death can take on your mind and he selected the perfect songs to sooth my heart and bring peace.  Each CD was different from the last and each one was perfect for the place I was in my journey.  It is a gift really to help people walk through illness when you know the chances are slim that you will survive yours.  I told Frank to tell Jesus I love him if he got to heaven before me and to dance for me.  Years in a wheelchair without bodily functions that most of us take for granted softened his heart. He is a gentle man whose eyes sparkle with mischief.  Humor flowed frequently and easily from his mouth, an inspiration that God is bigger than any disease. His powerpoint slide presentations inspire with their pictures set to music. An encourager to the end, he always looked up.

I know that he is dancing now.  His arms are free to worship again and that has got to be the most liberating experience.  I am sad that Frank is not here on this planet any longer. I will miss his e-mails of kindness.  There will be one less daily visitor to my blog, and as that number pops up each day I will know that the one less is Frank.  However, the grace that he moved in here, he now LIVES in there.  What a celebration!  His funeral will be evidence of this truth I am sure.  He has had months to plan exactly what he wants…I am sure it will include music, power points and humor…he would have it no other way.  Most of all he will glorify God…both with his physical departure and his spiritual arrival.  His is smiling even now in his new freedom from this body of death.  Frank is a blessing, he always will be.