Numerous people associated Justin’s story with tragedy. He endured severe headaches as a teenager, testing revealed a brain tumor. Surgery was right after his college freshman year. The operation went well; the recovery did not. Major medical mistakes resulted in Justin experiencing devastating brain trauma. Hundreds of people (including me) wept as we prayed for Justin to be spared and restored to his former self.
WHAT WAS TO COME?
Justin’s mom, BJ, was a nurse and the hospital sent Justin home post-surgery in a semi-coma. It’s a step above a vegetative state and below full consciousness. No one knew what was to come and how sizeable the brain damage would prove. After extensive time, Justin emerged, but blind, lacking short-term memory, and severely disabled.
He needed care 24/7. Exhausted BJ was his primary caregiver. The church rallied around and supplied an army of loving and dedicated caregivers. Family moved from out of state to help take up the slack. All helpers were in it for the long term. Did anyone know it would be the long term of 27 years?
LIVING UNSCATHED
Regardless of limited communication skills, there is one phrase Justin would often say to his caregivers: “Thanks for getting me through life unscathed.” Did he understand what “unscathed” means? The definition is: “whole, safe, untouched, unscratched, unhurt.” Doesn’t sound applicable.
RESTORED 27 YEARS LATER
Justin finally was restored, but not in the time frame originally prayed for 27 years ago. Last week, he died from cancer. I went to his funeral. Justin traveled to heaven at the age of 46. Full body restoration finally achieved. Over half his life, he lived with severe limitations. How does “unscathed” fit into this? Is this a cosmic joke?
THE LIFE OF SIGNIFICANCE
Not at all. At the memorial service, one would have thought a celebrity had died. Justin could barely communicate, yet the number of people who loved him is innumerable. Over and over, friends and family mentioned Justin’s joy and his love for Jesus. Often people dropped by his home expecting to help Justin and his family. They didn’t anticipate that Justin would give back much more than he received. The man in the wheelchair led a significant life.
LIVING WELL
Something that blew me away was when his brother mentioned that Justin “lived well”. Pre-surgery Justin loved Jesus, missions, and dreamed of becoming a poultry farmer. God’s plans were much bigger. Disabled Justin became an ambassador for Christ making a profound impact on others. Justin lived well.
His brother said that if Justin could choose to do it over again, he knows Justin would not change the trajectory God placed him on. Justin’s faith and cheerful spirit spoke volumes to those around him. His life is celebrated.
DEFINE YOUR LIFE BACKWARDS
Remember that phrase: “Thanks for getting me through life unscathed”? Somewhere in his spirit, Justin made an eternal connection for the term unscathed. Yes, his body was broken, but his faith remained whole, safe, untouched, unscratched and unhurt. “Søren Kierkegaard wrote, “Define your life backwards and then live it forward; determine at the outset where you want to be at the end of your journey.” Justin from an early age knew how he wanted to end up: his life a symphony of praise for Jesus.
Heaven rocks in jubilation for this man with a broken body who chose to live for Christ. Justin lived unscathed.
