Well Done, Don

On Monday, December 31^st, the last day of the year 2012, Don Nelson passed away.  He was sitting in his favorite chair, enjoying a cup of coffee, and listening to his beloved wife Carole as she read a blog post that she’d just finished writing.  Don was gathered gently into the arms of His Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Over the next several days, we will be celebrating and reflecting on Don’s life.  He was a gift to us and an incalculable blessing to the Body of Christ.  Don had a radical experience of God’s love and he opened his heart to receive that love in full.  The fruit of letting God love him and loving Him right back was evident in Don’s countenance, in the willingness of his great servant-heart, in the big bear hugs that were his greeting, and in the quiet humility that came with his surrender.  Don loved the life that God gave him, and he truly embraced the responsibilities he was given.  He drank his life to the last drop, enjoying each day as so few do.

We love Don, and we weep because we miss him and will have to wait to see him again.  But we rejoice because we know where he is and Who he’s with now.  Don ran his race and now he’s Home with the Keeper of his heart, His King, the Love of his life: Jesus Christ.

Revelation 7:16-17 HCSB

For this reason they are before the throne of God,
and they serve Him day and night in His sanctuary.
The One seated on the throne will shelter them:

They will no longer hunger; they will no longer thirst;
the sun will no longer strike them, nor will any heat.
For the Lamb who is at the center of the throne
will Shepherd them;
He will guide them to springs of living waters,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

Well Done, Don!