Contact Me

If you enjoy my blog and would like to contact me, you may reach me at this email: dena.netherton@gmail.com

Some of my stories are published in:
A Cup of Comfort Devotional for Mothers and Daughters (Adams Media, 2009)
Chicken Soup: What I Learned from the Dog (2009)
Love is a Flame (Bethany House, 2010)
Extraordinary answers to Prayer (Guideposts, 2010)
Love is a Verb (Bethany House, 2011)
Big Dreams from Small Spaces (Group Publishing, 2012)

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Steve and Danny

I didn't know Steve well at all. Mostly, I kind of knew about him.
But I knew Danny from childhood. He was one of my twin brother's best buddies, and a really fine guy.
Growing up, Danny was like a big, clumsy puppy, full of joy, enthusisam and boundless energy. He had a hard time focusing on schoolwork even though he was quite bright. But in his twenties, he found his passion and went into medicine, eventually becoming a fine doctor.
Both Steve and Danny were only in their fifties when death took them.
At least Steve knew it was coming. He had time to prepare his family, his employees, the public.
But Danny was simply doing his second greatest passion: riding his bike.
The elderly driver who hit Danny said he never even saw him. Danny died almost instantly.
No time to say goodbye to his wife and four children, or his many loyal friends.

It's a funny thing about life. You're really only one breath away from eternity. The uncertain-ness of how much time we have on this earth reminds me of the old magician's phrase: "Now you see it, now you don't."

I don't know about Steve or Danny. Did they have a faith-filled relationship with the Lord?
Both men, Steve Jobs and Danny Dickenson were very successful in their professions.
But now, everything they've worked for with such passion and energy is gone. Other people, riding on the coat-tails of their hard work and innovation, have inherited the finances, the name, the results.
In eternity, Danny and Steve cannot bring their resume to present to the Great I AM.
They are simply Danny and Steve.
You've probably asked yourself this question each time some big important person dies: what will I bring before the Lord when it's my time to go?
I'm so thankful that my place in eternity does not depend on my earthly accomplishments, but on the faithful promise of the Lord Jesus to declare me innocent and worthy of heaven.
When it's my time to leave this earth --even if it surprises me --I'll be ready!

"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'" (John 14:6 NIV Bible)

6 comments:

  1. Dena, thank you for writing this. I pray it prompts readers to consider where they will spend eternity, and make sure they are trusting in Christ for their salvation and not how much they've done for humanity. God bless you.

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  2. Thanks, Nancy. Steve Job's death really got me thinking about the brevity of our lives.

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  3. Life is so uncertain. What a blessing to know there is life after death and to have assurance of salvation.

    I love your beautiful blog and I'm adding you to my blogroll. :) Stop by and visit mine. :)

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  4. Thanks, Boldnfree. I will definitely check out yours, too!

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  5. I too, have done some soul-searching as I read and hear about Steve Jobs passing. I am most impressed about the fact that his Stanford graduation address is still with us on YouTube or other spots on the web. He told the class to "stop trying to live someone else's life" and to find a passion in your work. Your blog shows that you are doing just that. Bless you for continuing to point out the sweet things of life in the knowledge of a loving Father.

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  6. thanks, Clark. I've been thinking a lot about Steve
    Jobs this week. I don't know if he was a Christian, but he's still an inspiration for me because he lived his life with such energy and passion. I don't have his gifts, but I can work with all my heart at those things God has called me to do.

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