He was a red-headed bearded man, that wore a smile as big as the sky. An accountant with a vibrant personality, with a zest for life and a love for his family. The husband of one wife, one son and three daughters. He sang in a vocal quartet, and loved to perform. This is a great description of a man that left an everlasting impression on my heart, except for one fact. The very thing that stood out from all of this - the thing that taught me what faith looks like.
Kent B was a godly man. Fact. How do I know? His life reflected it. He joyfully served, he was a man of prayer and worship, he loved his Savior and was not ashamed to shout it from the rooftops! He was kind and gentle and caring and loving. He was slow to anger, and never self seeking. HE was a godly man.
We got to know Kent and his family when we left the methodist church to join up with a different church in town. We felt compelled to go to this church but were finding it difficult to figure out where we fit in. We weren't and have never been your "conventional christian", and in some more legalistic crowds we didn't fit so well. There was an element of this at this new church and we were struggling with whether or not we had made the right decision.
One evening late, we ran into Walmart to pick up some last minute things before we headed back out to the farm. On our way out we ran into Kent. He spent the next hour standing in the cold entryway of Walmart talking to us. As a leader of the church, he was very interested in what we were experiencing and was committed to do what he could to help us find our place. And . . . he followed thru.
Over the course of the next year or so we became quite close to Kent and his family. We truly wanted what they had. Their children ranged in ages similar to ours, and it was awesome to have an example of parenting and marriage right before our eyes. We watched Kent and his wife train their children, in life lessons, in education, in their knowledge of God and how to live that out. One of the things that ministered most to us was something we didn't see often. These people loved being together - no pretense. They all got along, and while there may have been times they weren't best friends, they truly enjoyed each other and found great satisfaction in their time together. It meant so much to us. We wanted that. We wanted our boys to love each other, and while they had friends and their own lives, we wanted them to know that their brothers had their back and at the end of the day there was no one's company quite like that of their brother. That is what we saw in this family and it was awesome.
One summer the men went on a weekend retreat. Kent joined some of the golfing guys to play a few holes. He didn't play long as he began to have some chest pain. He went into the doc and they checked him out and sent him home. They gave some explanation and over the course of the next year or so he would experience this, but would dismiss it.
Then he got the flu. He was feeling so fatigued and couldn't keep anything down. It went on for some time, and his doctors kept treating him for flu symptoms. Finally his wife put her foot down and told him to see a different doc, who happened to be a good friend. Kent went in and immediately the doc was concerned. With an initial exam he sent him for some cat scans of his abdomen. The cat scan came back looking as if he had a very large tumor in his stomach, so he was sent immediately to the University Hospital where they took immediate action. Upon further testing Kent was diagnosed with testicular cancer. He had a small tumor that had died off and shot off another into his abdomen. It was the size of a football, wrapped around his aorta (explains the chest pain), and had put enough pressure on his one kidney it had died off. The tumor was far too large and being wrapped around the aorta, they decided they needed to shrink it first before removing it. And so . . . . chemo began.
Now remember this was back in the late 80's early 90's, chemo was still very closely monitored by in hospital care. He was in a private room for six weeks as they treated him. He was so violently ill. The chemo racked his body, causing severe weight loss, loss of hair, and extreme fatigue. His wife stayed by his side, and his kids took over responsibilities around the house. Because of the teaching of their parents, these kids were able to do so at such a young age. It was absolutely remarkable to see. We would go see him in the hospital and he, even in such desperate sickness, wore that great big smile, and the joy of the Lord even in the midst of this tragedy was evident in his pain filled eyes. We prayed with him and his wife, and asked him how he was finding the strength to move forward. He said that his wife read him the scriptures, they prayed together, and he found great comfort listening to old hymns. He said the one he found most comfort from was the hymn, "Because He Lives".
We would leave his hospital room humbled, almost ashamed. We served the same God, received the same forgiveness, the same love, the same Savior. And yet, we struggled to serve and pray and read just because we were busy. How he ministered to us, how he ministered to the hospital staff and his doctors, and his children!
Kent had his surgery. Unbelievable would be the best word to describe what the doctors found. The tumor had shrunk in size enough that they were able to remove it without damaging the aorta, or any of the other organs that sat so closely to it. The entire tumor was encased and had not left any cells on any other part of his body. They were able to get it all!!! They had to remove the one kidney due to it being deadened from the tumor. The cancer was gone. Completely. Now its time to heal.
Kent was released from the hospital; a very frail man, but cancer free. He was looking at a long road of recovery and of course radiation to follow. Meals were brought in, church family came together to serve them in any way they possibly could, and Kent was on the mend.
Sometime around 4-6 weeks after surgery Kent came to church! He didn't look the same at all, and one would question who he was, until he smiled! Then there was absolutely no question! This first Sunday back Kent, his wife, and his four kids went up by the altar. He spoke for a minute - a very heartfelt word of thanks and recognition of his Savior who carried him and his family thru this entire pain staking ordeal. As he finished what he had to stay, the family and he stayed at the front and the piano began playing. I knew what was coming, and I had no kleenex. The entire family began singing "Because He Lives". Kent's booming voice rang in every single persons ears, as it was sang with every ounce of his being, because he knew it was true and his family knew it too. His eyes were filled with tears, as were his wife's, as they sang. What a testimony!
Kent remained cancer free, by the grace of God! I have never been able to hear that song played, sung, or even referred to without getting choked up. It/he is a constant reminder to me of God's faithfulness, and how the truth of the gospel will carry you thru even the worst of times - even when death seems better - and maybe when death seems eminent.
2005, I received a call from Kent's daughter telling me that he had passed. He was walking away from his car and his heart gave out. He dropped to the cement in the parking lot and died on the spot. We weren't able to attend his funeral, but I heard all about it. He was a man of great respect from all who knew him. Christians, non christians, business people, music people, children, elderly, everyone. His celebration of life was so full there wasn't room to hold all the people. It was a joy filled service - a true celebration of life - yet a huge gap of emptiness in the lives of so many. Kent touched many lives and many gave testimony to that on that day. He is greatly missed. His witness is carried on in so many, and his children continue to honor him in the way they live their lives - holding true to the many lessons he taught them.
Kent taught me what real - deep down - faith looks like. He taught me what resting in the shadow of the almighty looks like. He gave me an example of the fruit of the spirit - in living color. He showed me what 1st Corinthians 13 looks like. He was a sinner just like me and he too fell short of the glory of God, but he knew where his strength came from, who offered it freely, and who he served - and all who knew him, knew it. Thank you Kent, I can't wait to see that big ole smile one day when we meet again dancing on golden streets, praising our Savior in person!!!
Kent B 1950-2005
Because He lives I can face tomorrow. Because He lives, all fear is gone. Because I know who holds the future, my life is worth the living just because He lives!!!!
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