Gesuschic

  Tonight I recorded a couple of segments for Final Flight Ministries. It was my first time back at the “Fout House” since Rich’s memorial. I made it through the front door, the lower level of the house, but I couldn’t sit in Rich’s chair. That was his spot.
I was still good. A bit teary eyed, very emotional, but okay.
Steve looked over at me as Ted was helping me with my headphones. He smiled, and with a comforting tone in his voice he said:
“We’re gonna open up with some of your memories about Final Flight from back in the day. If you start to cry, it’ll be okay. We all loved Rich very much and we all understand, okay?”
(I took a deep breath, exhaled) “Okay…” I said.
My eyes were so watery.
I could barely see through my glasses, from twelve hours of eyeliner, mascara and emotions. My legs were shaking the whole time. But I made it through.
Second segment was about to be cued. I wasn’t planning on doing the “Next Gen” with Cally, but Steve thought it would be good from one generation to the next, having me on with her. We began recording and then she said it.
“I didn’t need to know Rich very long to understand why people loved being around him so much. He had a way of making every person he met feel comfortably vulnerable.”
I held back every single tear that was fighting so desperately to fall down my face, one right after another.
I made it.
Before Dale began to speak I went up stairs to get myself together. A plate of food to eat my emotions under control. But my usual form of solace failed, as my heart felt like God’s bowling ball had just rolled through my soul and I completely lost it. Cried so hard and so much. As if I had just heard Jenny’s words, from a year ago for the first time, “He’s gone Cheryl.”
Losing Rich was like losing my mother and father all over again. Part of me feels like that’s why I took his death so hard. The grief I carry, I pray God’s mercy for anyone who feels it. Unbearable.
After talking with Ted and crying five oceans all over her shoulder, I realized something. As much as I adored the Godfather, As much as I miss his encouragement, love, correction and goofy personality. It’s not just him that I miss. But more of what he represented.
His flawless example in unconditional love of people.
No matter who they were, where they were at in life.
Rich was a shining example of Christ. In the fact that he loved you right where you were. He was all about Jesus. If every single Believer (myself totally included) had the same passion for the lost and broken as Jesus did, there would be revival sweeping our Nation instead of rage and violence.
Instead of our young people blazing up on cloud nine to drown out the pain they are so adamant they don’t have, they would be getting lifted on the fact, that the comfort and peace of the Holy Ghost can raise them higher above a million clouds..
I am grieved we lost a warrior.
A true hero of generation to generation.
Our young people need someone like Rich Fout. Someone who owned his past, flaws and all. Shared his testimony with humble relief instead of proud arrogance.
I am such a sinner, lol I fail on a daily. And just like Rich, I haven’t the slightest idea of why Christ chose me. But He did. I now have to be that daily example of hope.
Hope that there are those who are still reaching out to the broken. Who are willing to speak truth regardless of how painful it may be to hear. To tell a hurting world that pain can be silenced with the love of Jesus. Covered with mercy, a gentle spirit. To let them know that peace can abound where war rages in their soul.
Walking back into that house tonight was emotionally painful. However, I am reminded that there is work to be done. The next generation, MY CHILDREN’S generation is hurting.
Their wounds are deep. And because of that, they are literally killing each other and themselves.
The ONLY thing that will flush this cycle of violence is the love of a Jesus they are so desperately needing and looking for. Weather they admit it or not.
We, as a people must step up our game and stop trying to “out holy” one another before it’s too late.
It’s all about Jesus man…Loving like He did.
Pray up Christians.
None of us live forever.
God is beginning to call our spiritual Fathers home and it’s time for us to take all we’ve been given…and give it back to a generation that so, so desperately needs it.
The world has a Savior. The world has Jesus…what the world needs now is the Daniel’s, the Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego’s, the warriors of truth, no matter the cost, to rise up and be who they say they believe in! To walk that talk, and be strong enough to love them…right…where…they’re…at.
Can we do it?
My vow, my goal, my promise to the very generation I myself was apart in giving birth to;
I am here.
Ready for your anger, pain, all you’ve got to throw at me.
I am here.
I’m not going anywhere.
I will stand here, I will chase you, whatever it takes, I will do it. I’ve been there.
Give me your best shot.
But I will warn you. I was taught…by the best. And they along with God and all of Heaven, are cheering me on for your own sake.
As hard as it was to share memories of the Godfather tonight. It was a barrier of grief I needed torn down. To get me refocused, at how crucial my relationship with Christ, needs to be on point. It’s crucial that my faith needs to be on fleek, if you will, lol For the sake of this generation. They were born with a hope, a purpose. Let’s rise up and show them they are not a lost cause.