My Dad, My Hero

My Dad went to heaven on September 12, 2021, after a short battle with Covid-19. This is the message that I was privileged to speak at his Celebration of Life Service....

One of the earliest memories I have of my Dad is when I was about five years old during the time we lived in Florida. I was on the sidewalk in front of our house playing hopscotch when I jumped onto a large piece of broken glass. The pain was excruciating and I immediately began crying and screaming. In just moments, my Dad ran out of the house and scooped me up in his arms and whisked me inside, so that he and Mom could tend to my injury. He was my hero, like Superman coming on the scene right when I needed him. 

As a little girl, I thought my Dad was perfect. In my eyes, he could do no wrong. Even though as an adult I know that he was not perfect—because no one is—I think that my little girl heart still sees him as perfect.

From my Dad I learned that the most important relationship I will ever have is the one I have with my Father in heaven through Jesus Christ my Savior. My brothers will agree with me that serving Jesus and teaching the Word of God were the joys of his life. I loved to hear him teach, and whenever I had a question about the Bible, he was the first person I wanted to talk to. I remember being mesmerized by what he had to say, and was so proud of his knowledge of the Word of God. His love of the Word was evident in his conversation even as the years passed, right up to the end of his earthly life.

As children, when we awoke on Sunday morning, there was never a question, “Are we going to church?” When we woke up on Sunday morning, we knew that we were going to put on our best Sunday clothes and head to the house of God. 

Dad loved his children, and he knew the greatest contribution he could make into our lives was not teaching us how to achieve worldly success, but rather it was instilling in us a desire to serve God. That, I believe, was his greatest gift to us.

From Dad we learned consistency, dedication and commitment to the ways of God. Even in the face of heartache, many health issues, and what sometimes seemed to be insurmountable problems, we saw our Dad love and serve God through it all. 

J.T. did not leave a lot of material wealth, but he left us a legacy that continues on. He lives in us as we serve Christ and minister the love of God to others.   

He was a gentle man, but strong in his beliefs and in his dedication to God. And with every difficulty, he kept his positive spirit and beautiful smile.

I was able to spend the last two days and nights of Dad’s life with him at the hospital. There was never any indication during that time that he knew I was there, but the hours I spent with him are precious to me. I talked to him, I touched him, I sang to him. I am so glad it was possible for me to be there. 

The day before Dad went to heaven, I texted Bishop Mitchell and Wendy Corder to let them know what was happening. Later, I received a phone call from Bishop Corder. To my surprise, he was in Bristol to preach a service that weekend. I really believe this circumstance was God ordained. 

He came to the hospital on Sunday, just hours before Dad passed and ministered to us. The family that day had made the decision to take Dad off of bi-pap. It was heart-wrenching. Bishop Corder gave us encouragement, stating that we were not making a life or death decision; we were making a Life or Life decision. We had to make a decision regarding a machine. God would decide whether Dad would live on earth or in heaven. He would continue to live; it was just the matter of where he would live. His life was in God’s hands, and it was God’s decision.

This was demonstrated emphatically to us a few hours later….

While my brothers and I had fallen asleep in Dad’s room from sheer physical and emotional exhaustion, I believe God said to Dad, “J.T. it’s time. Come on home.” And Dad quietly slipped out of the room. He left before the nurse came in to put him on the morphine drip, and before he was removed from the machine. God proved to us beyond all doubt that He is in control, and He made the decision at that particular time to take Dad home.

Psalm 116:15 says, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” We see death as our enemy. But God uses death to bring His saints into His presence. What the enemy means for evil, God uses to accomplish good. God called His son J.T. Osborne home. And now he is with his heavenly Father, and is whole and happier than he has ever been. 

Janet, Keith, Tony, David, all who love J.T., our hearts will always have an emptiness, a missing piece, because of the loss of this great man. But we have the hope of eternity. Those of us who have a relationship with Jesus Christ, we know that we will see J.T. again. 

If he could stand before us now on his two perfect legs, I believe that he would say to us, “Make sure your heart is right with God. That is more important than anything else in your life!"

And I am sure that he would also say….

“It won’t be long. I’ll see you soon!”