Clint.

This has been a sad couple of days for us. We got some horrible news on Thursday night- our friend, Clint Dobson, had been murdered that afternoon. Clint was a pastor of a small church in the Dallas area and the details aren't certain yet but his elderly assistant was severely beaten and he was killed in the church.

Clint was an incredible guy. He was the one who set me & Adam up. For months, we refused to meet each other, thinking it would be awkward but he kept persistently setting up times for us to hang out. In fact, he went on our first two dates with us. We were honored to have him stand with us at our wedding. He was a good buddy.

When we first heard the news, my stomach dropped but then a picture came into my mind. Clint with Jesus. Dancing wildly, filled with joy, gazing on the beauty of the Lord. It's not him that I feel sorry for. His sweet wife, Laura & his parents, his congregation and his friends. This story has been all over the news and I saw the saddest pictures on a news website- his wife, lying on the sidewalk, weeping with her hand over her face in front of the church.

We've gone between tears and laughter this weekend as we pray for Laura and we grieve his loss but we also remember Clint and his silly, sincere, joyful, loving self. We've told stories and celebrated his life. Clint was authentic. God really transformed his life over the past few years and Clint was a man, gentle, kind, devoted to God and to loving all people- rich, poor, the same, different. He loved his wife so much, his family & his friends.

Many will miss Clint but our hope is in the Lord who will...
To comfort all who mourn, To console those who mourn in Zion,
To give them beauty for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning,
The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
That they may be called trees of righteousness,
The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.
Is. 61