My buddy passed away last week after valiantly battling cancer for years. I wrote a story about this man in 2021, “Meet God’s Soldier with a Mission,” published in several news outlets across the South. Lieutenant Colonel Dan Payne wore so many different hats during his lifetime of service to God and country that he required a room to hang them all.
If we are fortunate to live a while, we all wind up with a roomful of hats. We change our roles throughout our lives. Transitioning from child to adult, from mothers and fathers to empty nesters, and from one job to another until we wear the cap announcing, “I’m Retired!”
Dan graduated high school with me and married my good friend, Jo. Became a father, college student, Vietnam veteran, seminary graduate, and Baptist pastor. Then rejoined the Army and became a Chaplain in various military bases worldwide, including in the Desert Storm/Shield conflicts. Finally, after serving 28 years, he was a veteran with so many medals that he needed another room for those!
Yet, that wasn’t the end. No, Dan became a Park Ranger and a grandfather while continuing to counsel and support countless appreciative people.
“Lynn, I often wonder why God keeps me on earth to suffer?”
“Well, Dan, I think God has used you to send messages of hope to the numerous folks you touch throughout your life. And he is still making you work. How many people have been encouraged to never give up because of the grace and bravery you exhibit through your sickness?”
Then, I ended my conversation as I usually did with Dan…. A joke. “Shoot, Dan, who knows, you might wind up taking Job’s place in the Bible!”
I didn’t shed a tear when I heard Dan had left us. Instead, I smiled. To lose a lifetime buddy usually puts me holding a box of tissues for a while, but not this time. It was as if heaven opened for me to glimpse Dan sitting beside the Lord. This time, he wasn’t wearing a hat; he donned a crown.
I traveled with another high school friend to Dan’s funeral in north Georgia. We listened to members of the military speak, saw Dan’s minister shed tears as he delivered his eulogy, and Park Rangers sitting side by side in a pew. Family members gathered in swarms, and as I watched Jo enter the church in the arms of her sons, I saw her smile.
She knows Dan’s life isn’t over and his legacy will live on for years. A life of service, sacrifice, and joy.
Dan’s life journey taught me that it is not how much we accumulate in our earthly life. Instead, it is about how much we give away during our time here.
We can spend time on the beach or playing sports. How many of us spend years searching for success and making money only to obtain more material items? We spend hours looking for ways to entertain ourselves and have fun. We spend precious time defending our often-errant beliefs and personal opinions that, most of the time, matter little.
Ultimately, what have we given to others’ lives when our life was complete? How many hats did we wear that improved the world? Like Dan, did we inspire others by the way we spent our time? Did we leave a legacy, benefit our nation, protect our forest, become a hero, and hear thunderous applause when we reached heaven’s door?
People often ask, “Do you think about death often?” Usually, if one does, it is a sign of depression or negativity. I have made the monumental discovery that we should contemplate our death more. We all know our lives will end, and if we live as though it could be over tomorrow, perhaps we will treasure our days and spend our time in more valuable ways.
We cannot take success, money, fame, fun, political party affiliation, or beach chairs when we pass to the great beyond. We will not be asked how we spent our hours because God already knows the answer.
Did we serve, minister to others, provide calm, and love people and all of God’s creatures? Were we kind, patient, forgiving, giving, faithful, and fearless? And did we do well enough that folks smiled at our funeral because they knew, without a doubt, that we were safely in the arms of the Lord? If so, what a glorious way to end our earthly journey.
Goodbye, old pal; you were outstanding here. I can’t imagine how spectacular you will be in heaven!
In memory of Lieutenant Colonel Dan L. Payne, 1947-2024
