This morning, I got the call I hoped would not come. Aaron Smith, my close friend and brother in Christ, passed away in the early morning hours. His sister Elizabeth informed me. I was stunned, speechless. It all happened so fast, and I couldn't get my head around it. Over the past couple of months, this cancer moved so rapidly there was almost nothing that could be done to stop it, or even slow it down. Aaron had been admitted to Piedmont Hospital, where they began aggressive chemo treatments. I had been down there to see him numerous times, even spent the night to give the family a break. He fought bravely, but ultimately, the cancer overpowered modern medicine, and he was sent to a hospice down close to where we all grew up. There he died, not two days after being settled. Over the past few months of his battle, we had many conversations. He went from fear to determination, to urgency in sharing Christ with people, and finally to peace and resignation, that whatever happens, Christ would be glorified and many would come to faith as a result. One of the nights I was with him at Piedmont, about 2am after getting another overnight round of pain meds, he wanted to talk. We sat up until 3am, talking about the things he had been learning in Bible study recently, the opportunities God had given him to share Christ with visitors and hospital personnel, and his thoughts on where all this was going. He said, "Rob, I have to tell you something. I'm not afraid anymore. Whatever God's plan for me is, I'm at peace with it. If I get well, I'll keep living for Christ. If I don't, well, I'll be with Christ. I can't lose either way." I shared the verses in Philippians 1:20-24, where Paul states, "For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Win-win situation for a Christ follower. I then felt led to share with him something God had spoken to me a couple of weeks earlier, but had been hesitant to share with anyone yet, in hopes Aaron would get well. I shared with him the passage in John 12:24, where Jesus declares, "unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit." At this Aaron began to weep heavily and loudly, grasped my hand, and said, "Rob, that's the exact thing I've been praying lately! That if by my death, they (several family and friends) come to faith in Christ, it will have been worth it all. I'm so happy, so happy." I was stunned. The very verse God had laid on my heart for Aaron, but didn't want anyone to know for fear they would think I was predicting his death, was the very verse he himself had been praying. Wow. So here I sit, grieving the loss of my dear friend, but cherishing all the great memories we made together, and resolute that I will do my part to carry out that commission. I will share the life and love of Christ with those Aaron wanted to see saved, and with any others God gives opportunity. That will be the highest I can do to honor my friend, fulfill his desires. This seed will bear much fruit. I love you Aaron, my friend and my brother. And I'll see you again, one day.