Please do yourself a favor and take a few minutes to read this and pass it on to others. I want to share 7 Life Lessons of a younger man named Craig Wong (1972-2009) who despite his arduous battle with brain cancer over the past 15 months, began sharing “Craig’s Life Lessons” to as many people who would listen…
The call of being a pastor has its ups and downs – as it reflects the ups and downs of life. I believe in the gospel that is Christ and the good news that not even death can separate those that have claimed Christ in their lives. But there is still mourning and grieving in the loss of a loved one. As a pastor, there are times I honestly wish I didn’t or couldn’t be emotionally connected to my flock. But then, that simply wouldn’t be worth it. This past year, our church came alongside the pain of numerous in our church community. I presided over the memorial service of a newborn baby that died 3 minutes after birth. Today, I officiated the burial service of Craig – son, brother, husband, father to two, and friends to so many.
Honestly, I did now know Craig well prior to the diagnosis of a brain tumor in October 2007. He was experiencing headaches so he went in to the doctor on a regular Friday afternoon for what he perceived to be a “routine check-in” only to be told he had a brain tumor. I remember receiving that phone call. The brain tumor was initially diagnosed as benign but when they went in to remove the tumor several days after that Friday, it was found to be malignant and the tumor has already begun its ugly growth. I have gotten to know Craig, his wife, and their larger groupr of family and friends over the past 15 or so months and realized that even in his 36 years of life, he left an amazing legacy.
He loved his wife, loved his children, loved his family, and was devoted to his friends. And all those relationships were informed by his faith and love for Christ. This was apparent today as several hundred folks gathered later in the afternoon after the burial for the “celebration of Craig’s life.”
I still remember learning about his first response once he work up from his first surgery upon learning the tumor was not benign but malignant:
“Is this hereditary? Will my kids be ok?”
I don’t know why this has been so emotional. I guess they all are in their own way. Perhaps, it’s because Read the rest of this entry »
Filed under: church, faith, marriage, cancer, craig wong, faith, family, hope, love
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