Doing great and getting greater!!

I had a good friend named Matt during my college years at LCU. He had to be THE sweetest guy I have ever known in my whole life. He had diabetes and was legally blind (which means he couldn’t drive or see things far away, but could still see and recognize you and get around easily), he would wear shorts when it was 20 degrees outside and say that the weather was perfect, was an avid fan of the Dallas Cowboys, and could win any country CD off of the radio (I think he would win one about every week!!) I don’t care if he had just had the worst day of his life-in fact there was a day where he got fired from his job and his girlfriend broke up with him…but EVERY single time you would ask him how he was doing, he would say, “Doing great-and getting greater!!” with a huge smile on his face. Now, Matt was a West Texas boy and definitely had the accent to prove it-when we went to Australia, the people there LOVED to hear him talk!!

This man finished two degrees, including a Masters in Ministry, was very active in my brother club, participated in chorus, had the biggest servant's heart, and had dreams of being a preacher. When he walked somewhere you could tell he was very intent on where he was going-he walked very briskly and he was definitely focused. But he would always stop and take the time to talk to you and be involved in your life-and flash that wonderful smile.

My friend Matt died last December-just a few days before Christmas, at the young age of 27 years old. When he died, I said that it felt like a bright light had gone out in this world. But then I rejoiced, because now he can see Jesus' face clearly and nothing can hurt him now!!

I found out after he died that they didn’t expect him to live past the age of 30, but we sure never knew it, although I think Matt may have known he wouldn’t be here on this earth very long-he was definitely very intent on getting somewhere, and making a difference while he was here. His theme verse came from Philippians: I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. From all outside appearances-he certainly had learned to do just that. He was a beacon in the night-an angel among us, and he encouraged my soul. I've learned and I think we can learn a lot from Matt's life. Just as Jesus set His face toward heaven, Matt did also-and touched many lives with his spirit and life along the way. He has left his legacy by his positive attitude and the way he lived his life with purpose and passion, and never let anything knock him down. I pray that I can do the same.

Rejoice in the Lord always...I will say it again: REJOICE!!