Opening Day

By Pastor Eric

For most, Tuesday was just another day. But for many, it was almost a national holiday of sorts, the official start to deer hunting season. Many students were absent from school, vacation time was taken at work, and countless people “geared up” for an early start on opening day. Many would brave the cold, sit in the weather, and hope for an outside chance of taking a trophy-sized deer. I was no different–bundled up, daughter Emily with me, and outside long before the sun showed its face.  

As we sat there, watching the snow fall softly on the ground, the crisp air biting at our breath, I couldn’t help but reflect on the fact that the day held a larger importance for me. One year ago, to the exact day, life came to a standstill–literally. I got up early that morning just as I did this past Tuesday, hoping to get out to the deer stand. I wasn’t feeling that great so I skipped the usual “opening day” rituals and climbed back into bed. A couple hours passed, and everyone went off to work and to school. I awoke very dizzy and with a great deal of chest pain. I knew something wasn’t right with my body. I made my way to the living room, passed out on the floor, my heart came to a stop, and for me time came to a standstill. 

The ambulance arrived at the house and I began my journey to Metro, the paramedics doing CPR the entire way. Things were not looking good at the hospital and my wife was told, “we are doing everything we can.” She was left to wait and pray, as my life was being held in God’s hands. Time ticked down and the doctors prepared to announce a time of death, when a different person stepped into the room. She was a leading cardiologist in Michigan who just happened to be teaching a GVSU class in the ER that day. She quickly went into action, making some medication adjustments, and having them shock me one more time. It’s as though God had placed an angel in my room on that day, in that very moment! 

With that last shock, my body tensed up and I took in a big gasp of air! My eyes filled with the bright lights of the ER room and my ears clanged with the cheers of the people around me. While I was still trying to figure out what was going on, the cardiologist came to my bedside and said, “Welcome back, Eric, how about you stay with us for a while.” It was then that I realized what had happened and the reality of my situation kicked in. My chest hurt so bad–the pain was the worst I’d ever felt, but I was okay with that because the pain let me know I was alive. They wheeled me back into the cath room and I began to cry, as the reality that death had come calling for me that day but I had been given a second chance sank in. It was more to deal with than my chest pain. On this “opening day,” I was given a new day! Thank you Jesus! Thank you Jesus!   

One year ago, “life” stood still for me and my loved ones for 20 minutes. I give thanks to our Heavenly Father, that he would cover me with his love, send down his angels to tend to me, and to give me life even in the grip of death. Thinking back on that moment, there was no bright light, no stairway, no ladder, and I can’t write a best-selling book on my experience with death. What I can tell you was that I was at peace, not afraid, and filled with a sense of assurance! Isn’t that what our faith is all about?  

My lifestyle has changed since that day. I eat less red meat, watch my salt intake, have lost 60 pounds, do more cardio workouts, and I now take lots of medications. But the biggest change that has taken place in my life is the change in my priorities. I will never take for granted the gift of every new morning or the many blessings God has given to me (wife, family, my church, my relationship with Jesus). Every day is filled with its own blessings and goodness! Every day is an “opening day,” bringing the softness of the falling snow, and the crisp air of life. I’m not sure exactly why I was spared that day, but I give thanks to my awesome God for the life he has given me and the plans he still has for me in the future! To him be ALL the honor and glory!  

Life can be here…and then taken away so very quickly. How is your relationship with Jesus? Do you experience the peace, hope, and assurance that comes from that relationship? What do the priorities in your life look like? 

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”  2Cor 4:16-18

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