Breathing Deeply: My Life With Cystic Fibrosis

Yesterday we received utterly shocking news that our friend, David Matthieu, went home to be with the Lord a week and a half ago. I don't know the exact details other than that he had an accident at home and passed away rather suddenly.

This is the second time in as many weeks where I've received this sort of news. I take comfort in knowing that David was living an honorable life, one that was pleasing to God.

One of David's favorite passages in the Bible was the parable of the sower. It was this parable, visualized in the stained glass of Community Reformed Church, that made him feel at home right away. He took his role as a sower very seriously. He volunteered with teens. He learned guitar just so he could be part of the music ministry at church. He was quick to lend a helping hand at just about anything, often staying well past the close of an event just to make sure it got cleaned up and put away. I'm especially appreciative of his willingness to donate his time and energy to raising awareness of cystic fibrosis. His life was a wonderful witness of God's faithfulness, and I pray that the seeds David sowed in his time here on earth, will take root.

I will miss him and his emails. I will miss his his enthusiasm and encouraging spirit. He was one of the most giving and selfless people I know. We often talked about the ways that God was giving us the strength we needed to live one day at a time. David was a wonderful example to me of what it means to be a prayer warrior. He thought the world of Brad, even though they'd only spoken a few times.

David is now counted among the great cloud of witnesses as mentioned in Hebrews 12. I'm praying that anyone who knew him would follow his example to throw off sin that so easily entangles, and run with perseverance the race marked out for them. David is no longer "chasing the wind" as he used to say.

Glad you made it home, David. Save us a seat; we'll join you when God's finished His work in us here.