Missing John Boy
Death has a way of making us think about life.
Our days are numbered, some of us are allotted many, while other are given just a few. We don’t get to decide how many we are given, but we do get to decide how we will spend them.
John Fraser lived his days well. He truly made an impact on everyone he came in contact with.
John was not allotted as many days as we would have liked. The quantity was less than we all hoped for but the quality was more than we could ever have imagined. We can all learn a little something from the way he lived.
John lived with passion, loved immensely and overflowed with grace and wisdom. He made you laugh, he made you cry, he made you want to download random country songs and try on cowboy boots.
John has been a huge part of my life, now that he is gone, I am beginning to see the influence and impact he had on my life on a regular basis. I miss him dearly, everyday. John was more than my pastor, more than my mentor, more than my friend. His opinion mattered to me, his advice was the advice I followed. John was my leader, my spiritual father, my shoulder to cry on, my comic relief and my solid ground in this shaky life.
John had a gift, he believed in you when you didn’t believe in yourself. He could see potential in you when everyone else just saw a mess.
John’s presence in my life has everything to do with the fact that I am in Haiti now. He was the one who planted the seed of missions deep in my heart. Shortly after we came back from my first trip to Haiti John said something to me that changed my life, “You know you’re going to be living in Haiti full time some day, right?” The desire had already been planted, but I had never imagined that someone like me could be a missionary. I thought missionaries were perfect Christians who had it all figured out and I was definitely not in that category (they’re not by the way!). John could see past my mess and self-doubt. When he came out and said that he thought I could do it, I began to dream that maybe I really could.
I selfishly wonder what I am doing to do without John. I think when the tears finally dry up, instead of wondering what I am going to do without him, I am going to focus on what I can do because of him. John poured into me so much over the years, he was a great example of what a leader is, showed me how to love both the lovable and EGR (Extra Grace Required), he demonstrated the qualities a good husband should have, what a true friend looked like, not to take yourself too seriously and sometimes you just need to have a good laugh, he taught me that making time for people was so important, and most of all that Jesus should be the center of everything you do.
I thank the Lord I had the opportunity to be loved on and mentored by someone so great. I hope someday you will see some of John’s greatest qualities living on in me.
We miss you John Boy!
Peace, Love and Top Shelves,
Rachel
Our days are numbered, some of us are allotted many, while other are given just a few. We don’t get to decide how many we are given, but we do get to decide how we will spend them.
John Fraser lived his days well. He truly made an impact on everyone he came in contact with.
John was not allotted as many days as we would have liked. The quantity was less than we all hoped for but the quality was more than we could ever have imagined. We can all learn a little something from the way he lived.
John lived with passion, loved immensely and overflowed with grace and wisdom. He made you laugh, he made you cry, he made you want to download random country songs and try on cowboy boots.
John has been a huge part of my life, now that he is gone, I am beginning to see the influence and impact he had on my life on a regular basis. I miss him dearly, everyday. John was more than my pastor, more than my mentor, more than my friend. His opinion mattered to me, his advice was the advice I followed. John was my leader, my spiritual father, my shoulder to cry on, my comic relief and my solid ground in this shaky life.
John had a gift, he believed in you when you didn’t believe in yourself. He could see potential in you when everyone else just saw a mess.
John’s presence in my life has everything to do with the fact that I am in Haiti now. He was the one who planted the seed of missions deep in my heart. Shortly after we came back from my first trip to Haiti John said something to me that changed my life, “You know you’re going to be living in Haiti full time some day, right?” The desire had already been planted, but I had never imagined that someone like me could be a missionary. I thought missionaries were perfect Christians who had it all figured out and I was definitely not in that category (they’re not by the way!). John could see past my mess and self-doubt. When he came out and said that he thought I could do it, I began to dream that maybe I really could.
I selfishly wonder what I am doing to do without John. I think when the tears finally dry up, instead of wondering what I am going to do without him, I am going to focus on what I can do because of him. John poured into me so much over the years, he was a great example of what a leader is, showed me how to love both the lovable and EGR (Extra Grace Required), he demonstrated the qualities a good husband should have, what a true friend looked like, not to take yourself too seriously and sometimes you just need to have a good laugh, he taught me that making time for people was so important, and most of all that Jesus should be the center of everything you do.
I thank the Lord I had the opportunity to be loved on and mentored by someone so great. I hope someday you will see some of John’s greatest qualities living on in me.
We miss you John Boy!
Peace, Love and Top Shelves,
Rachel
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