Jimmy York was a man deeply intrigued and involved with legacy.
Legacy is a word with big meaning. It seems so lofty. Leaving a legacy seems like it might be an unattainable goal. But we all have legacy as a part of our lives. Those who have gone before us left a legacy that we are now a part of. And each of us leaves a legacy to the generations who will follow us. We are all legacy leavers and legacy receivers.
In the Marriage That Lasts class that Jimmy helped develop and teach at Fellowship Church, legacy was defined as living our lives in such a way that we are a blessing to others now and for generations to come. If you are reading this blog then you knew or knew of Jimmy York. And if you knew or knew of Jimmy York then you have been blessed by him. In fact, many who have never known or heard the name Jimmy York have been blessed by his influence in the lives of the people God placed around him in his 33 years of life. Jimmy left a legacy. In fact, I would say that Jimmy lived a legacy.
Let that soak in for a minute. He lived the legacy he wanted to leave. Wow! I hope someone can say that about me some day, don't you?
It is my intent to share what I am learning about how Jimmy lived the legacy. This will be a multi-post series so I ask that you bear with me and check in often. Along the way I will share the people, resources, and Scripture verses that are shaping my understanding. I will tell you how I saw Jimmy change over the years as he embraced and engaged the legacy he wanted to leave. And I hope, through it all, we will gain an incredible understanding and insight we can apply to living our legacy life.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
Write It Down
This past weekend I went over to the York home to do some yard work. I took with me two boxes that I have had in my possession for a couple of weeks. They contain all of Jimmy's personal things that were in his desk when he passed away. I had promised Tricia I would bring them to her and leave them in the garage for her to go through whenever she was ready.
When I talked to her tonight she had gone through them. And inside she found many treasures I'm sure - pictures of the boys, mementos of Jimmy's ministry, books he was reading or had read, rough drafts of classes he was planning to teach. I am sure there were tears of joy and tears of pain as she unpacked each item and remembered its significance.
But the things she commented on when we talked were a couple of Jimmy's journals. She found one from 2005 in which he had written of the pride he felt as a new father. He penned words describing his joy and how much he looked forward to being a dad for Braxton. He wrote a promise to raise his baby son to love the church and to love the Lord. He left no doubts about his feelings or his intentions. Not that anyone would have doubted those things anyway. After all, we all knew his passions were his God, his family and his church. But his boys didn't really get a chance to know their dad that way.
Tricia became emotional as she said to me that one day Braxton could read his daddy's own words in his own handwriting and know what Jimmy had planned for him. I choked back my own tears as I considered that thought, projecting forward in my mind to a day when a young red-headed boy would sit in his room and read those words, tears flowing and pride welling in his heart. He will know that his dad was a man of God. He will know that his dad thought of him. He will know that his dad loved him deeply and was proud. Not proud of anything his son had done, but proud simply that God had blessed him with this son.
And I thought to myself, "I need to do that." Maybe I'm just a cheesy sentimentalist but the Garth Brooks song 'If Tomorrow Never Comes' popped into my head. If my tomorrow never comes will I have expressed my love, my pride, my plans, my desires for my family? Will they each understand how deeply I care for them and how much I want for them? I hope so. I think so. But I'm no longer content to hope and think. I have the power to ensure.
So I am going to write it down. In detail. For my wife, for my daughters, for my parents, for my friends. And not only will I write it down, but I am also going to shoot a little home video. And these won't just explain how I feel, but also what I think, what I am passionate about, my hopes, dreams and aspirations for them.
I am going to put all my cards on the table. Will you join me? Will you write it down? Because one thing I have learned is that for each of us, some day, tomorrow won't come.
When I talked to her tonight she had gone through them. And inside she found many treasures I'm sure - pictures of the boys, mementos of Jimmy's ministry, books he was reading or had read, rough drafts of classes he was planning to teach. I am sure there were tears of joy and tears of pain as she unpacked each item and remembered its significance.
But the things she commented on when we talked were a couple of Jimmy's journals. She found one from 2005 in which he had written of the pride he felt as a new father. He penned words describing his joy and how much he looked forward to being a dad for Braxton. He wrote a promise to raise his baby son to love the church and to love the Lord. He left no doubts about his feelings or his intentions. Not that anyone would have doubted those things anyway. After all, we all knew his passions were his God, his family and his church. But his boys didn't really get a chance to know their dad that way.
Tricia became emotional as she said to me that one day Braxton could read his daddy's own words in his own handwriting and know what Jimmy had planned for him. I choked back my own tears as I considered that thought, projecting forward in my mind to a day when a young red-headed boy would sit in his room and read those words, tears flowing and pride welling in his heart. He will know that his dad was a man of God. He will know that his dad thought of him. He will know that his dad loved him deeply and was proud. Not proud of anything his son had done, but proud simply that God had blessed him with this son.
And I thought to myself, "I need to do that." Maybe I'm just a cheesy sentimentalist but the Garth Brooks song 'If Tomorrow Never Comes' popped into my head. If my tomorrow never comes will I have expressed my love, my pride, my plans, my desires for my family? Will they each understand how deeply I care for them and how much I want for them? I hope so. I think so. But I'm no longer content to hope and think. I have the power to ensure.
So I am going to write it down. In detail. For my wife, for my daughters, for my parents, for my friends. And not only will I write it down, but I am also going to shoot a little home video. And these won't just explain how I feel, but also what I think, what I am passionate about, my hopes, dreams and aspirations for them.
I am going to put all my cards on the table. Will you join me? Will you write it down? Because one thing I have learned is that for each of us, some day, tomorrow won't come.
Friday, March 6, 2009
An Open Letter To Jimmy
Jimmy,
Well it's been a month since we last talked so I wanted to catch up with you on a few things:
First, THANK YOU if you had anything to do with the Cowboys cutting Terrell Owens...and I suspect you did, even though there is no biblical foundation for that. Great move either way.
The Rangers are in Spring Training and even I'm starting to catch baseball fever. I think I might try to go opening day with some guys...we'll see.
Hey, we're going down to Wayne's farm next week to fish...me and Wayne, Ray, Andy, Pace and your dad is going to join us. The bass are moving shallow with the warm weather this week so we should catch a ton. I talked to your dad about it and he said I'll need to help him rig up for bass. No big deal...I can't wait for him to hook up with a big one!
Braxton and Auston are doing fine. Auston is still all smiles and laughs every time I see him. Braxton started tee ball last week. I think Trena and I may take the girls to a game or two. And I'm going to take all the kids to a Ranger's game one day this Spring. A day game while the weather is still nice. I'll eat some nachos and a hot dog for you.
And speaking of weather...man it's been dry and warm. The grass is greening up and mowing season is coming fast. The lawn guys scalped my yard today...I know you got yours back in late January. Weeds are popping out like crazy but we're staying on top of them the best we can for you. Steve Drechsler built a website to help organize the guys who want to take care of the yard and house for Tricia. It's cool...Todd Starnes, Jeff Grubb and a bunch of others are waiting on me to get the needs posted so they can go nuts. Jeremy Edmiston even sent out a crew to plant some color this week. I haven't seen it yet but Tricia said it looks great. Don't worry, we'll take care of the yard for her. I know you took alot of pride in making sure it was nice. And we'll teach Braxton and Auston when they are old enough.
You'd be proud of the Spiritual Development staff and Married Life Team. They are taking your classes and running. The Marriage That Lasts class is over next week and it's been awesome. This is seminar weekend and the teachers are in full throttle prep mode...it's awesome to see. The HomeTeam Coordinators are off the charts, too. Just like always. I talk to Pelletier, Fowler and Drechsler at least once or twice a week.
I know it sounds like everything is fine...and in a weird way it is. But it's very different. We all miss you. We miss the smile, the encouragement, the leadership, the companionship that you always brought. We will carry those memories forever I suppose...I sure hope so. Your legacy is already strong and I know it will gain strength as we all learn to engage life fully again.
Well, I guess that will get you up to speed on some things. There's always more but, then again you've got the best view in the world so I suppose you might already know all of this. I just wanted to make sure.
I miss you man,
Todd
Well it's been a month since we last talked so I wanted to catch up with you on a few things:
First, THANK YOU if you had anything to do with the Cowboys cutting Terrell Owens...and I suspect you did, even though there is no biblical foundation for that. Great move either way.
The Rangers are in Spring Training and even I'm starting to catch baseball fever. I think I might try to go opening day with some guys...we'll see.
Hey, we're going down to Wayne's farm next week to fish...me and Wayne, Ray, Andy, Pace and your dad is going to join us. The bass are moving shallow with the warm weather this week so we should catch a ton. I talked to your dad about it and he said I'll need to help him rig up for bass. No big deal...I can't wait for him to hook up with a big one!
Braxton and Auston are doing fine. Auston is still all smiles and laughs every time I see him. Braxton started tee ball last week. I think Trena and I may take the girls to a game or two. And I'm going to take all the kids to a Ranger's game one day this Spring. A day game while the weather is still nice. I'll eat some nachos and a hot dog for you.
And speaking of weather...man it's been dry and warm. The grass is greening up and mowing season is coming fast. The lawn guys scalped my yard today...I know you got yours back in late January. Weeds are popping out like crazy but we're staying on top of them the best we can for you. Steve Drechsler built a website to help organize the guys who want to take care of the yard and house for Tricia. It's cool...Todd Starnes, Jeff Grubb and a bunch of others are waiting on me to get the needs posted so they can go nuts. Jeremy Edmiston even sent out a crew to plant some color this week. I haven't seen it yet but Tricia said it looks great. Don't worry, we'll take care of the yard for her. I know you took alot of pride in making sure it was nice. And we'll teach Braxton and Auston when they are old enough.
You'd be proud of the Spiritual Development staff and Married Life Team. They are taking your classes and running. The Marriage That Lasts class is over next week and it's been awesome. This is seminar weekend and the teachers are in full throttle prep mode...it's awesome to see. The HomeTeam Coordinators are off the charts, too. Just like always. I talk to Pelletier, Fowler and Drechsler at least once or twice a week.
I know it sounds like everything is fine...and in a weird way it is. But it's very different. We all miss you. We miss the smile, the encouragement, the leadership, the companionship that you always brought. We will carry those memories forever I suppose...I sure hope so. Your legacy is already strong and I know it will gain strength as we all learn to engage life fully again.
Well, I guess that will get you up to speed on some things. There's always more but, then again you've got the best view in the world so I suppose you might already know all of this. I just wanted to make sure.
I miss you man,
Todd
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Provision
All my life I have been blessed to have great providers in my life. Mom and Dad provided food, shelter, love and money as I grew up. My grandparents provided a little more of all that. My friends provided me an outlet for competitiveness, fun and recreation. Some have provided good counsel...others, not so much! The schools provided me teachers who provided an education. God provided me with a second chance.
As I got older I began to work and was able to provide myself with some things. And for the past 12 years I have been a provider for my family. Since taking on a leadership role in the church 11 years ago I have provided others with biblical leadership and counsel. And all along the way, there were other providing for me. My wife, my family, my friends, and God...all the great providers in my life.
For the past 8 years Jimmy provided me with alot - friendship, leadership, wisdom, insight, understanding, tons of laughs and occasionally a little tough love. When Jimmy passed away one of my first thoughts was for Tricia and the boys. They had lost their provider. Jimmy was the breadwinner of the house. He was the man, the leader, the protector, the husband and the father. How would they make it without him?
But I have recently come to realize something I have long known but not understood - that God is the provider of all those things.
When Jimmy left this planet he did not leave his family without a provider. God is and always has been the Provider. He chose Jimmy to be the conduit of his provision for Tricia, Braxton, and Auston as well as me and many of you. Well, that particular conduit is gone now. But God's provision is not. He is simply re-routing it.
The love, leadership, protection, peace, care, money and things Jimmy brought to his family will still come in. But others will bring them. We are all blessed to be a blessing. Some of us are blessed financially so we will bless financially. Some of us are blessed with specific knowledge or wisdom so we will bring those things. Some of us have the gift of love to offer. Some are blessed in many areas and will bring abundant blessings. Regardless of your blessing, your gift, God has provided it to you and He wants you to provide it to others.
Indeed, He provides all things to all people:
God is love.
He is the father to the fatherless.
He is the Bread of Life and living water.
His wisdom is just one ask away.
He is the Prince of Peace.
He is the perfect Priest.
He is the Protector.
God is the lover of our souls.
He is the healer of broken hearts.
He is the Great Physician.
He is a friend...not just of the religious or upright, but also of sinners.
All the wealth in the world is God's and he can do with it as he pleases.
He says that he provides food for the animals and 'clothes' for the plants.
And how much more does he love us?
So much so that he provided us with a way to spend eternity with him. "For God so loved the world that he gave (provided) his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
And that is the greatest provision of all.
As I got older I began to work and was able to provide myself with some things. And for the past 12 years I have been a provider for my family. Since taking on a leadership role in the church 11 years ago I have provided others with biblical leadership and counsel. And all along the way, there were other providing for me. My wife, my family, my friends, and God...all the great providers in my life.
For the past 8 years Jimmy provided me with alot - friendship, leadership, wisdom, insight, understanding, tons of laughs and occasionally a little tough love. When Jimmy passed away one of my first thoughts was for Tricia and the boys. They had lost their provider. Jimmy was the breadwinner of the house. He was the man, the leader, the protector, the husband and the father. How would they make it without him?
But I have recently come to realize something I have long known but not understood - that God is the provider of all those things.
When Jimmy left this planet he did not leave his family without a provider. God is and always has been the Provider. He chose Jimmy to be the conduit of his provision for Tricia, Braxton, and Auston as well as me and many of you. Well, that particular conduit is gone now. But God's provision is not. He is simply re-routing it.
The love, leadership, protection, peace, care, money and things Jimmy brought to his family will still come in. But others will bring them. We are all blessed to be a blessing. Some of us are blessed financially so we will bless financially. Some of us are blessed with specific knowledge or wisdom so we will bring those things. Some of us have the gift of love to offer. Some are blessed in many areas and will bring abundant blessings. Regardless of your blessing, your gift, God has provided it to you and He wants you to provide it to others.
Indeed, He provides all things to all people:
God is love.
He is the father to the fatherless.
He is the Bread of Life and living water.
His wisdom is just one ask away.
He is the Prince of Peace.
He is the perfect Priest.
He is the Protector.
God is the lover of our souls.
He is the healer of broken hearts.
He is the Great Physician.
He is a friend...not just of the religious or upright, but also of sinners.
All the wealth in the world is God's and he can do with it as he pleases.
He says that he provides food for the animals and 'clothes' for the plants.
And how much more does he love us?
So much so that he provided us with a way to spend eternity with him. "For God so loved the world that he gave (provided) his one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16
And that is the greatest provision of all.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Wild Idiots
Ok, so this has nothing to do with anything God is teaching me through Jimmy's passing. But it is too good to keep to myself. Recently Trena, the girls and I went out to eat. We had barely ordered when Lauren & Megan began aggravating each other and getting loud. I went into Dad mode. You know - stern, deep voice, eyebrows down, eyes narrow, lips pursed. It was "THE LOOK". And with 'the look' came a mini version of "THE LECTURE" in which I told them in no uncertain terms how they were supposed to behave and that I would not tolerate them acting like a couple of wild indians.
Then, in a very fatherly fashion, I asked them to repeat back to me what they had done wrong and what they needed to do instead. Lauren did a passable job of relating what I said back to me. Megan gave me the one-liner of the week. She explained that what they had done wrong is acted like a couple of "wild idiots".
To hear that come from a 5 year old with a perfectly straight face! I lost all composure. Trena laughed out loud. I couldn't even look up for a good 10-15 seconds. Priceless. Once the moment passed I explained myself more clearly and we all had a nice chuckle.
As I reflect on it now, I can see this experience as a great reminder of how many times I have acted like a "WILD IDIOT" and how often God must give me "THE LOOK". Parenting is perhaps the most spiritually charged thing I do each day. I learn more about God, His love, patience, forgiveness, endurance, faithfulness, hope, and heartbreak through my interactions with my kids than perhaps anywhere else in life.
Lord, please forgive my wild idiot moments and help me to see and hear you more clearly so I can more clearly reflect you to my girls...and everyone else you put in my life.
Then, in a very fatherly fashion, I asked them to repeat back to me what they had done wrong and what they needed to do instead. Lauren did a passable job of relating what I said back to me. Megan gave me the one-liner of the week. She explained that what they had done wrong is acted like a couple of "wild idiots".
To hear that come from a 5 year old with a perfectly straight face! I lost all composure. Trena laughed out loud. I couldn't even look up for a good 10-15 seconds. Priceless. Once the moment passed I explained myself more clearly and we all had a nice chuckle.
As I reflect on it now, I can see this experience as a great reminder of how many times I have acted like a "WILD IDIOT" and how often God must give me "THE LOOK". Parenting is perhaps the most spiritually charged thing I do each day. I learn more about God, His love, patience, forgiveness, endurance, faithfulness, hope, and heartbreak through my interactions with my kids than perhaps anywhere else in life.
Lord, please forgive my wild idiot moments and help me to see and hear you more clearly so I can more clearly reflect you to my girls...and everyone else you put in my life.
I just read my friend Andy's most recent post:
http://aboydsblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/some-things-are-worth-fight.html
And it hit me - most anything worth having or doing requires some kind of fight or trial of some kind. Right now, my fight is redefining 'normal'.
Because normal now is not what normal was 3 weeks ago. And it will never be that again. I don't expect to fully embrace this new normal right away. I don't even know exactly what to make of it yet. But I am fighting to gain ground. The current battle to think normal, to feel normal, to see normal, to be normal is swinging my way. Victory is sure. And it's worth the fight.
http://aboydsblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/some-things-are-worth-fight.html
And it hit me - most anything worth having or doing requires some kind of fight or trial of some kind. Right now, my fight is redefining 'normal'.
Because normal now is not what normal was 3 weeks ago. And it will never be that again. I don't expect to fully embrace this new normal right away. I don't even know exactly what to make of it yet. But I am fighting to gain ground. The current battle to think normal, to feel normal, to see normal, to be normal is swinging my way. Victory is sure. And it's worth the fight.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Lean Here
Just a simple observation today:
I have been learning the importance of leaning less on the friends God gives me and more on the God who gives me friends.
Not to say friends are not important...certainly they are. In fact they have been instrumental in my coping with the past couple of weeks. God gives us friends to lean on, but maybe I lean too much on them and not enough on Him. I mean, my friends are right here. They are physically present. I can touch them, hear them, see them, call them, email them, facebook them, text them, and holler down the hall at them. I can see when they smile. I can hear when they laugh. I can tell when they are frustrated with me and when they are excited for me. So I turn to them instead of to the God who has blessed me with them. I have made them a substitute, in some situations, and that is not fair. It's not fair to them. It's not fair to me. And it is certainly not fair for my Father in Heaven who wants that relationship with me.
I went to Jimmy for advice. I went to Jimmy for a safe place to unload my fears, doubts, and frustrations. I went to Jimmy to celebrate successes. When I needed a friend I thought of him first. And while he was a great friend, indeed I considered him my brother. But the Bible tells me there is a friend who is closer than a brother - and his name is Jesus.
Losing Jimmy has put things in a different perspective. Alot of things. Perhaps the most striking is the one I have regarding my relationship with Jesus.
Make of that what you will, but He has been clear with me on this one.
I have been learning the importance of leaning less on the friends God gives me and more on the God who gives me friends.
Not to say friends are not important...certainly they are. In fact they have been instrumental in my coping with the past couple of weeks. God gives us friends to lean on, but maybe I lean too much on them and not enough on Him. I mean, my friends are right here. They are physically present. I can touch them, hear them, see them, call them, email them, facebook them, text them, and holler down the hall at them. I can see when they smile. I can hear when they laugh. I can tell when they are frustrated with me and when they are excited for me. So I turn to them instead of to the God who has blessed me with them. I have made them a substitute, in some situations, and that is not fair. It's not fair to them. It's not fair to me. And it is certainly not fair for my Father in Heaven who wants that relationship with me.
I went to Jimmy for advice. I went to Jimmy for a safe place to unload my fears, doubts, and frustrations. I went to Jimmy to celebrate successes. When I needed a friend I thought of him first. And while he was a great friend, indeed I considered him my brother. But the Bible tells me there is a friend who is closer than a brother - and his name is Jesus.
Losing Jimmy has put things in a different perspective. Alot of things. Perhaps the most striking is the one I have regarding my relationship with Jesus.
Make of that what you will, but He has been clear with me on this one.
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