I attended the funeral of an old friend today. Skip Cooper was 61 when he passed away Sunday, after a long, painful battle with cancer. Hearing of his death, then being with his family before the funeral, brought back many memories from over 20 years ago.
I first met Skip when I was hired by Clarkston Baptist Church as their Youth & Recreation Pastor in 1989. Skip was a deacon, a bus driver for the youth group, and a coach & director in our basketball leagues. In the 3 short years I was there, Skip became my closest friend, and closest ally, in the church. We were creative, trying new things and taking big chances, in an effort to reach people not only for our youth group and rec. leagues, but mostly for Jesus Christ. I caught heat from people in the church, as well as other staff members, over the changes we would try to implement, but Skip once told me, "You just do what you believe God is telling you to do, and don't worry about the complainers. If you do that, I'm with you. I got your back." Skip went with us on summer retreats, on winter ski trips, you name it. Even though he was 15 years older than me, and had a son and daughter in the youth group (Brian & Allison), Skip and I became close friends. Even after I left to go on staff with First Baptist Snellville, we kept in touch with Skip & Sherri, who like Lisa & I by then, had another child, Jason, the same year Ansley was born.
Over the miles and years since, we gradually lost contact with the Coopers. We left FBC Snellville in late 1999 for Hebron Baptist, and the Coopers moved to Snellville as their two older children went off to college, got married, started families of their own. I reconnected with Brian & Allison on Facebook last year, as well as many of the old "Clarkston kids," nearly all of which have children of their own now as well. And it was through FB that I heard of Skip's losing battle with cancer, and his passing this past Sunday.
As I sat in that chapel during his funeral, I couldn't help but think that, while we down here were mourning his passing, Skip was enjoying a reunion in Heaven. An amazing thought- he said goodbye to his friends & loved ones here, but was met by an enthusiastic group of friends & loved ones at the gates of Heaven, those who had gone on before him. I find myself at times longing for the healing, wholeness, and joyful reunion that awaits me one day, but acknowledging that there is still much to do here, more people to reach for Christ. The preacher who spoke quoted the late Jim Elliot, missionary who gave his life to further the Gospel-
"He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose."
Skip's life certainly modeled that. I hope mine always does as well, until its my time to go home too.
I'll see you again someday, old friend. But not yet. Not yet.