Today we learned that Lucas Astudillo, good friend, avid euphoniumist and CMI alum, lost his battle with cancer. And so, in the midst of tears, we try to figure out how to navigate life without him. And it's a pretty difficult challenge.
His faith and positive spirit helped set the personality of CMI 2011. But his determination to keep in regular contact with CMI friends he made after he returned to Argentina, despite being a continent away, was inspiring. While my daughters spent more time on Skype calls with him, his brother Marcos and friend Loreley, I had a chance to say hello to him from time to time.
And by sharing his infectious humor and encouragement electronically, he became an inspiration for me.
Jonathan made a decision to be David's friend, even though it wasn't easy. As Lucas was separated from us by over 5,000 miles, Jonathan was separated from David by Jonathan's jealous and insane father, King Saul. And because the days they had to share were limited intensified their determination to develop a friendship anyway.
1 Samuel 18:1-4 (NIV)
After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.
Jonathan was more interested in being David's friend than being the Prince. So he gave those things that represent that honor in order to express his true friendship.
So here's the challenge from Jonathan, Lucas and anyone who has ever determined to be a friend against all odds: Let nothing stand between you and your friends. Not distance, not time, not circumstances. Not language, not technology, not cancer.
Sometimes I look at my life and count the friends - the real friends - I have. God has blessed me with many who would be Jonathan to me. And then I measure the time I spend with them. And I realize how much I fall short. I need to answer Jonathan's challenge and Lucas' example, by being the friend I need to be to those who are ready to extend themselves to me. In other words, in honor of Lucas, I need to be a better friend. There is no such thing as too busy, too far away, too different. I need to be a better friend.
Will you join me in honoring Lucas by being a better friend to those we still have with us?
We'll all miss you, Lucas. Save a seat in the Wonderland Band in heaven for all your CMI friends. I know you'll be waiting with a smile and an encouraging word for each of us. And you'll probably move down the row so that someone you call friend can sit in a place of honor.
His faith and positive spirit helped set the personality of CMI 2011. But his determination to keep in regular contact with CMI friends he made after he returned to Argentina, despite being a continent away, was inspiring. While my daughters spent more time on Skype calls with him, his brother Marcos and friend Loreley, I had a chance to say hello to him from time to time.
And by sharing his infectious humor and encouragement electronically, he became an inspiration for me.
Jonathan made a decision to be David's friend, even though it wasn't easy. As Lucas was separated from us by over 5,000 miles, Jonathan was separated from David by Jonathan's jealous and insane father, King Saul. And because the days they had to share were limited intensified their determination to develop a friendship anyway.
1 Samuel 18:1-4 (NIV)
After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt.
Jonathan was more interested in being David's friend than being the Prince. So he gave those things that represent that honor in order to express his true friendship.
So here's the challenge from Jonathan, Lucas and anyone who has ever determined to be a friend against all odds: Let nothing stand between you and your friends. Not distance, not time, not circumstances. Not language, not technology, not cancer.
Sometimes I look at my life and count the friends - the real friends - I have. God has blessed me with many who would be Jonathan to me. And then I measure the time I spend with them. And I realize how much I fall short. I need to answer Jonathan's challenge and Lucas' example, by being the friend I need to be to those who are ready to extend themselves to me. In other words, in honor of Lucas, I need to be a better friend. There is no such thing as too busy, too far away, too different. I need to be a better friend.
Will you join me in honoring Lucas by being a better friend to those we still have with us?
We'll all miss you, Lucas. Save a seat in the Wonderland Band in heaven for all your CMI friends. I know you'll be waiting with a smile and an encouraging word for each of us. And you'll probably move down the row so that someone you call friend can sit in a place of honor.
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