I'll miss you, Neko

A dear friend of mine died of a heart attack last night. Neko was 45 and has been like a big brother to me since I moved to Lubbock in 2000. His wife, Mary, is one of my dearest friends, and they just celebrated 25 years of marriage. He leaves behind three daughters, one still in high school. Words fail me today. I can't tell you how my heart is breaking - that I wasn't there to say goodbye and that I'm not there to weep with my friend now. Neko loved Jesus, and he's at home now. We weep for ourselves, but not for him.

I love you and miss you, Neko. Save me a seat up there. I'll see you again.

"Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus all who have fallen asleep in Him. According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words." 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18