Jason's 45th Birthday!

Jason's 26th Birthday
(The same birthday his mom references below.)

Today is Jason's 45th Birthday! It also marks his 19th birthday since he entered into heaven.

I still think it is remarkable how much Jason did in his 26 years and 3 months of life here. He understood early on how important it is to live for Christ now, and not wait until later. None of us know how much time we have to live. You could live your life not really caring about God and having a relationship with Him, assuming that you can get just your act together "later"... and then not have a "later." The saddest part about it is that trying to navigate life with no faith in Christ is like being adrift in the ocean with no sail, no oars, no motor and no rudder. You're at the mercy of the chaos that surrounds you. And when things get really bad, you rely on what you know or what you feel, instead of turning to Christ for help, wisdom and discernment. That can lead to people losing their faith entirely and resorting to a life of bitterness and misery. But God is right there, ready and waiting to help you. He longs to know you and be a part of your life, but He gives everyone free will. He waits for your invitation. Jason invited Christ into his life at an early age and had the most wonderful family who guided him in his faith journey. They modeled what living for Christ looks like and he chose to follow their example. Jason always loved being outdoors. It was a God-given, innate joy for him that he had since childhood. I love that he found a way to serve God outdoors, and that he found Lindsay in the process, who (providencially) shared the same interests. They both served Christ at youth adventure camps, which was pretty much the most perfect job they could have! And in the midst of that, right before they were to be married, their time on earth ended. It was crushing and devastating and so hard to understand, but in the years since, it has been obvious that God has been glorified by their story. They did not die in vain. Their personal decisions to follow Christ have given their memory a platform to reach others in the name of Christ. What a beautiful legacy. ♥

Here is a sweet note from Jason's mom:

The last time we saw Jason was May 16, 2004, his twenty-sixth birthday. It never entered our minds that when we hugged good-bye, it would be our last hug here on earth. God knew that though, because He recorded it in His book. How blessed we were to have 26 years with him, and while our desire was to have him with us years beyond that birthday, God’s plan for his life was accomplished.

"You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe. Every day was recorded in Your book."
~Psalm 139:16 LB

The psalmist continues in verses 17 and 18 giving us reminders of how He cared for Jason, how He cared for us in our time of grief and how He continues to watch over us.

"How precious it is, Lord, to realize that You are thinking about me constantly. I can’t even count how many times a day Your thoughts turn towards me, and when I waken in the morning, You are still thinking of me!"

Be assured loved ones, God created you in love and planned your whole life. It is our responsibility to return that love by living in His will and obeying His commandments. That my friend is having the “abundant life” that Jesus promised us.

We miss you, Jason. We look forward to our heavenly reunion.

Happy 45th birthday in heaven.
Love, Mom and Dad

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Happy Birthday Jason! You will never be forgotten!