Taylor Lautner
There are some
people you meet along the way that you will never forget.
And while Andy Bos was a fine Christian witness, he was not famous, not even in his little community of Bartow, Florida. However, he possessed a vital family connection to someone who was, and continues to an internationally known personality.
As one looks
towards the pulpit, he sat on the second pew on the right side of the church.
He was as faithful to the house of God as a new clock, and his mind was as
sharp as a tack; though his 9 plus decades had taken a decided toll on, (as
scripture characterizes it) “the outward man which perisheth.”
His wife having
pre-deceased him years before, and being “foot loose and fancy free” Andy began
to date the widow, Naomi; another aged member of our church. It seemed the duo
spent every available moment together, inside and outside the sanctuary, and were
often seen at the local McDonald’s, the city park, the library, and other local
venues. In spite of their obvious affection for one another, they never
married. And their failure to enter into the blessed state of matrimony
remained a mystery to one and all.
I was privileged
to spend time with, and converse with Andy. And often, on Sunday mornings
during our “meet and greet” time, we would converse about, well, any
conceivable subject. But it seemed the focus always came back to “leaving.”
He was simply
ready to go on to his reward.
A second, “but
well down the rung” topic with my aged friend, were the Hollywood exploits of
his great grandson, the actor Taylor Lautner; noted for the “Twilight” series
of movies. He often mentioned having mailed some of my Wednesday night topical
presentations to the young man; hoping that these spiritually-oriented
teachings would have an impact on him.
And though Andy
lived in an assisted living facility, even well into his 90’s he did his own
driving. At least ‘til increasingly frail health precluded his getting behind
the wheel. And after one or two parishioners offered to transport him to
church, and subsequently “petered out,” my wife and I took on what I considered
to be a privileged responsibility to assure he had the opportunity to worship
the One he loved, with those whom he loved.
Eventually, Andy
“took to his bed” and prepared to meet his Maker, and travel to that place
which he had referred to on an almost obsessive basis.
As my friend’s
demise drew near, I could not help but visit with him one last time. And as
Jean and I walked into his room, Andy awoke, opened those kind eyes for which
he was so well known, and attempted a weak smile.
We walked over to
him, and made the smallest of small talk. And then, I asked Andrew if he’d like
me to sing to him. (He had often told me how much he enjoyed my solos, and I
thought this sort of “send-off” would be a fitting tribute to him). He
immediately acquiesced. Though I sing many of the same songs often, I depend on
sheet music for the words. As a result I decided to sing THE national anthem of
the Christian church; one that I’ve never had any trouble remembering.
“Amazing Grace.
How sweet the
sound
that saved a
wretch like me.
I once was lost,
but now I’m found,
was blind but now
I see.”
I had hardly
begun when Andy raised those frail little arms towards heaven, and mouthed the
words,
“Hallelujah.
Hallelujah.”
We took our leave
shortly thereafter.
If we are to
believe angels have names, I have often fancied the death angel who ferried
Andy to “the other side of the Jordan” was also an Andy. (Perhaps I’ve watched
too many “Touched By An Angel” broadcasts).
My friend was
finally Home; with a capital “H.” No longer would he talk about it. Now he
would had the inestimable opportunity of experiencing it.
The longer I
live, and the closer I get the more I think about my eternal destination,
(though I’m only 30 as long as I avoid mirrors). I used to accuse my friend,
Andy, (behind his back of course) of focusing far too much on heaven, and far
too little on this life. But as I get increasingly closer to my end, and
increasingly further from my beginning, I get increasingly fonder of the
destination in which my friend already resides.
I sincerely hope
Andy’s thespian grandson, Taylor, will one day slip one of my audios into his
CD player, and will be influenced to make a decision for our Lord Jesus Christ.
When we give, without measure, of our time, talents and treasures we may never
know whom we will, ultimately, influence, nor the impact which we may exercise
upon them.
*To be continued
by William McDonald, PhD. Excerpt from (Mc)Donald's Daily Diary, Vol. 71. Copyright Pending.
If you would like to share, copy or save, please include the credit line, above
*To be continued
by William McDonald, PhD. Excerpt from (Mc)Donald's Daily Diary, Vol. 71. Copyright Pending.
If you would like to share, copy or save, please include the credit line, above
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