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‘The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.’ (Matthew 13:44)
Brian’s memorial service is this week. I’m out of town, so I
won’t be there, but one image will haunt me that day, just as it has every day
since I heard cancer had finally overtaken him, even though he still had so much
living left to do.
I could tell you he was successful in business and a V.P. of
an internationally-respected financial corporation. But I can say only a little
about that because he never made a fuss about it. Other things were more important,
as was clear the day I sat near him during a men’s retreat.
One guy told a story laced with pain and tears to a rapt
room of about 30 men. When he sat, Brian immediately stood and said something
as he walked toward the man. Maybe he said, ‘Let’s pray for him,’ or something
like that. I don’t remember.
What I do remember is that six or eight men quickly joined
Brian around the man and laid hands on him as Brian prayed. There was not a
single moment of hesitation. He knew what to do, what his heart required, and
so did those who joined him. He led; they followed.
And I marveled, as I still do. The image of him walking to
the man’s side is fixed in my head, so too, the circle of men he gathered. I
don’t remember what Brian prayed for, only that his words were full of faith
and care.
The Kingdom of God is a soul transparent to the merciful
heart of God. It is the beauty of a heart in which the heart of Jesus lives,
breathes and walks across crowded rooms to bless another in their brokenness.
When the heart of Jesus appears before your eyes in the
guise of a soul so near, feeling this heart, beating in your own chest, is the
one thing you never want to be without.
Rest well, Brian, in the heart who lived so richly within
you. I won’t forget.
David L. Miller
