Missed Opportunities

A very important man in my life passed away a month ago. I've known him for almost 10 years now. However, I never actually met him. Ours was a relationship of phone conversations, faxes and e-mails of the most intimate nature....my finances.

He was my tax man. David Ray was his name.

He saved me thousands of dollars over the last 10 years. He also saved me the headache of itemizing and filing on my own. He had worked for the IRS on one occasion so he knew the ins and outs of what you could claim and couldn't claim. He always had up to date information on new tax breaks that would come about. He was worth every penny I ever paid him and more.

I had an interesting conversation with him last April when we were reviewing my paperwork via phone. We had done this 9 times before. He was always very business-like and to the point. I guess not wanting to waste my time. We never talked much about anything else except the 2 occasions I got to tell him we had another deduction. (Laine and Jackson) I knew that one of his daughters worked in his office with him, but that was the extent of what I knew about him personally.

During this conversation....well let me start by saying the first couple of years he did my filing, he made a comment to me about my claiming what I've given to the church. I don't remember exactly what I said to him. But I do remember telling him that I always gave the first 10 % to God and He always gave me back much more than that. In his very quiet manner he tried to talk me out of claiming it because that is one of the things that sends a "red flag" to the IRS. I told him that I didn't care if the IRS knew I was giving to my God. So what feels like reluctantly, he included it and never mentioned it again...until last April.

He said, "I noticed your giving has exceeded the 10% mark". I told him that as a family we had felt challenged to give more this year. Went on to explain that we were blessed beyond measure and it didn't matter how much we gave...God always gave it back, above and beyond our wildest dreams."

A few seconds of silence followed by these words. "Isn't it great to know the God who gives. And isn't it great when you can actually trust to give up what is tangible for something that is not".

Let me tell you those words blew me away for a minute. Not something I expected to hear from the man who was always business, all numbers, all the time. We talked a few more minutes on the subject of God's goodness, finished our business then said goodbye until next year.

Last month I emailed him our most current pay stubs to see if we were still on the right track for getting a refund this year. He was always quick to answer so when I didn't hear back from him in a week, I wondered about him. I was preparing to call him when I noticed an e-mail address I didn't recognize, but it was his name in the subject line. I opened it and that's how I found the news that he had passed away unexpectedly from complications of pneumonia.

I was shocked. He couldn't have been older than 60. I was very saddened. Not only because of the great role he played in my financial life. But because I was reminded of the "everyday relationships" that I have with people that I know nothing about them. Not really. And not the most important thing to know. Do they know Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

Looking back, I view that last conversation with David as a gift from God letting me know David was one of His. Now, I look at the people I see all the time and wonder why I haven't told them of my love of Jesus. It could literally save their lives. You know the people I'm talking about. The post office workers, the grocery store clerks, the people at day care that I trust with my kids well being.

I've been praying for boldness in speech and opportunity to share. Will you pray that for me, too? I don't want to miss any opportunities to share the love of Christ.