A Thought About Jack

I have spoken about him before and no doubt I will speak of him again. Dr. Quistwater, retired professor is a godly man who despite his disabilities looks at every circumstance as an opportunity of service for the Kingdom. I am so fortunate to have him as part of my life and as I have gotten to know him better I have truly grown to love him.
On the outside I suppose one might even feel sorry for Jack. He has no family, has never married, no children,  his one brother and both parents are gone and he has no close extended family accept a cousin who lives far away.
He has suffered with the affects of bladder cancer, severe kidney stones, lives with an Ileal conduit, had a heart attack, a severe infection that almost took his life and left him in a wheelchair, and if that was not enough, because of all his disability he has been forced to sell his home that he worked so hard for, in order to live in a nursing facility where he can receive the proper care he needs every day. And that is only the tip of the iceberg where Jack's health is concerned. There is so much more.
This once active and very independent man has had all his worldly treasure taken from him. You would think that suffering so much would leave him bitter and broken hearted.  But let me tell you about Jack, that couldn't be farther from the truth. Jack's true treasure is well established in heaven.
Not once have I ever heard him complain about his situation or disabilities.  Not once have I seen him even in a bad mood. On the contrary, he was the life of the party at Centenery hospital during his very lengthy stay, and now he has become everyone's friend at the nursing home. Even the woman who wanders from room to room who lets herself in uninvited gets only the best from Jack.
He even finds the time to co-lead a Bible study group for any of the folks in the nursing home who want to study the Word.  What a godly example. He has truly risen above his circumstances.
The other day he asked me "Pastor Rhonda, do you think maybe God is preparing me for something bigger for Him in the future?  My response was simply "Jack, I have absolutely no doubt about that."
The truth is that God is already using him in so many ways.
Here is a man who has surrendered his life and circumstances over to the Lord, with the most beautiful and giving attitude that one could ever imagine.  Jack believes God has strategically placed him for ministry in that nursing home with potential for even greater ministry in the future, and that is absolutely true.
However......... (and this may be a bit selfish because as usual it is all about me) I personally think that Jack was given by God, to me, to help me to become a better, more loving, compassionate person; someone who accepts God's circumstances for their life with a grateful attitude even in the midst of great trial.  The 'poor me' syndrome is not the attitude I want in my life but I must say that I have displayed it more times than I care to admit. Jack helps me to keep perspective of what is really important and much to my shame, sometimes I really need that.
So do I truly believe that God is preparing Jack for greater things?  You bet I do. He's already doing that in so many ways and I'm the biggest beneficiary. I love you, Jack!
I'm sure there will be more about Jack, but that's all I have to say for now.