This post comes from reflecting on a story that happened two years ago to me. Here is the story and how it changed my entire life to where I stand today and to where I am going in a 38 days.
2 years ago on Monday at 7:16am I got one of the worst calls of my life. My best friend had passed away, so I grabbed my shoes, tears flowing down my face like boulders and drove to the hospital. When I got to the hospital his family embraced me before I saw him in the bed. Mardale Jay had passed away. Anger shock me to the core like a thunderstorm and I cried as much water as the Colorado River has. I was broken all the way to my core. I didn’t know how to praise Jesus through this storm, and I didn’t want to.
Mardale wasn’t just a friend. I had known Mardale since 4th grade and he saved my life on a couple occasions. I was a corky white kid moving down to the hood in 4th grade from the suburbs and moving to the hood was a whole new world. I didn’t know any of the culture, any of the rules, no idea on how to make friends, which lead me to becoming lost. An example of this is in suburb culture you want to tell on the kid that is doing wrong in 4th grade to be liked by the teacher, AKA teachers’ pet. In the hood snitches get stitches. I didn’t know that though. It’s not like there’s a “Hood Instruction Manual” available at your local Barnes and Nobles. I had to go and figure it out and Mardale helped me. He showed me the ways, how to talk, how to walk, how sitting in the back of the class was cool, and how to shoot a basketball. He saved and shaped my life.
When Mardale did pass I was a month away from heading to the University of Colorado Boulder which is known for one of the top party school in the nations. I still hadn’t moved on from Mardale at that time and so what does a grieving 18-year-old do when he has access to alcohol? I turned to it and I turned to it every time his name crossed my mind. I drank a lot and did a lot of things in that time period I am not proud of. I was being attacked by many enemies and had the devil approaching like lions at every corner.
Then, Young Life reached out and said ‘Hey, we want you. Come be apart of our family.” So I joined and my life flipped a 180. I found other ways of fun including swing dancing at the Grizzly Rose, playing crazy games at a place we call the Treehouse, and ultimately, having community with a new family that helped me process Mardales death. I slow down on drinking to almost a complete stop and started building a strong relationship with Christ.
God and I have grown and walked to a crazy point in our relationship where I have layed down my life and my own agendas to be with him and to bring down his kingdom on Earth. I am going on a 11-month trip to bring God’s light on Earth but to also bring more of Gods light in me. I just got back from a 11 day training camp with the squad that I will be traveling with for the next year. 29 disciples of Christ that bring love, passion, God-fearing spirit, and are ready to show Gods heart in everything we do. God broke down my heart again at training camp and I am can’t wait to go on this calling to learn more about him and me.
I want to grow more in Him. Nah. I NEED to grow more with Him. I am here because Mardale didn’t only save me in middle school but his death ultimately pushed me towards a deeper life with the big man upstairs.
As I reflect on the past two years since Mardales passing I see a resurrection story. I was defeated, broken, lost, alone, and God only crossed my mind when I used it in vain. Now I am 38 days away from giving a year of my life to going and spreading his word to people who have never heard his voice. God has taught me situations don’t form you, how you respond to them forms you. He has constantly said, “I love you son.” And “Go, serve, and learn about my truth, my heart, and my world.” So I am going because I know he is calling and I must go.
The truth is I can’t do this alone. I need people who are going to support me on this trip financially, spiritually, and emotionally. So many have already given to me so that now I am at $10,800 funded for the race and I need $9,050 more to go in 38 days. Can you help me by becoming a monthly or one-time giver?
All in all, I wish Mardale to this day. I cried a half a dozen times and it took my three days to write this. I am going on this trip for the kingdom and for Mardale. Dear Mardale. I love you. I miss you. Shoot some hoops with Jesus for me until I get there. See you when I see you big bro. Love-Snowflake
