I Have Fought the Good Fight
This past week one of our parish’s faithful members, John Gaeth, went home to be with the Lord. It was unexpected and a big loss to so many who knew and loved John. He was a military pilot that served in Vietnam during Operation Ranch Hand.
Last July I was sharing lunch at Mellow Mushroom with him and another Vietnam pilot, David Mitchell. I learned they both grew up in Ohio, both grew up attending Ohio State football games and both shared seeing the worst of war and humanity. Both talked quietly of the medals they received and the profound sadness and loss of friends who never came home from the war. What I most remember was not their love of Buckeye Football, or flying, or living in the Lowcountry, but rather how much they had been changed by Jesus Christ. HE had become the most important thing and the driving force of their lives. I heard it in their conversations and saw it in their faces.
In the end nothing (not even death itself) can separate us from the love of Christ. For those who believe there is never a “Goodbye” but rather “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day. 2 Timothy 4:7-8
A celebration of John’s life will be held Monday, August 12th at 11:00am in the church.
