Jacob...

i never wrote this before because i didnt want to get caught up in the moment, and therefore possibly hinder anything i would write under a normal circumstance.

my friend, and most importantly brother in Christ, Mr. Jacob Parish (or as we had called him in football "diboll"), passed away on September the 14th, 2007 in an automobile accident. while the specific details are still being resolved, we do however know without a doubt jacob is with the Father. 

i cannot even remember when exactly i first met jacob, but i do know we weren't strangers long. he was the kind of guy that knew no strangers. everyone he met, he called friend. and how could you not call him friend back? he was the guy in the hallway that always wore the same thing everyday, a smile. he was the guy runnin up to you with his hand out ready to wish you a good day. he was one of the nicest, most passionate fellas i have ever had the pleasure of meeting. one passion, which i will get to a little later, was FFA and his animals. i had more experience with him in football. i played my senior year of high school, and he was a junior on the JV squad. jacob played on the defensive line. pretty big position of such a lanky guy. i remember vividly practices where he, along with some of his teammates would get driven off the line pretty hard by the big varsity guys. i remember jacob parish, getting back up everytime with a smile on his face and ready to go at em again. during the nutcracker drill (basically 2 guys head up trying to push each other out of a box), jacob fought every time against somebody bigger than he, and always got up ready to give it another go. i did have several conversations with him about wanting to quit the team, which i had those thoughts after the first practice. but he stuck it out all year and fulfilled his commitment. his FFA and animals were probably near the top of his list. i have little experience in this with him, but for whatever reason i did attend a stock show a few years back. and the only memory i have of that, in my opinion the only excitement in the whole thing, was when jacob won his event. i can't even remember what animal he was showing, but i remember his reaction. he was the only one that showed any emotion upon winning. he jumped up and down, hoopin and hollerin after he won for what i think was a rabbit or something. it was the best thing about that show for me. it showed his passion for what he loved. i wish i had half the amount of passion he did for the things he loved. i wish i could have a smile on my face half the time he did.

to be honest i never found myself asking God why? i knew why, i knew his time with jacob was done. it all kind of seemed surreal. i think God uses moments like that to tap us on the shoulder and let us know this thing called life is real, and that he IS in control.

being away from home for the past yr, i hadn't seen him much. only when i was home and was at church. i remember his camo tuxedo at prom, i remember his wrangler jeans and awesome pearl snap shirts, i remember his love of country music. most of all, i remember his smile, and his love for people, and his love for the God that's so mighty to save.

i miss you buddy.

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I once was lost, but now I'm found
I once was lost, but now I'm found
So far away, but I'm home now
I once was lost, but now I'm found
And now my lifesong sings

I once was blind, but now I see
I once was blind, but now I see
I don't know how, but when He touched me
I once was blind, but now I see

And now my lifesong sings
And now my lifesong sings
And now my lifesong sings

I once was dead, but now I live
I once was dead, but now I live
Now my life to You I give
Now my life to You I give
Now my life to You I give

Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Let my lifesong sing to You


-casting crowns