Today as I’m remembering how Cole personified “Be Warrior,” I think back to late July 2020, just a few days before he went to Heaven. Cole wasn’t afraid to admit that he was scared about leaving. There wasn’t anyone who he had been friends with or close family who went to Heaven before him. He knew he was getting close and it was scary. He continued to ask me to read to him more and more scriptures about Heaven. I was learning with him, and we would spend all day reading scripture and commentary on Heaven.
Earlier in the month he told me “If Jesus is real, then Heaven is real, and Jesus is real.” He had this realization, but dying was still terrifying. He was scared to go to sleep because what if he didn’t’ wake up? Cole did not want to pass at night because he wanted me to be awake, holding onto his right hand. Having these discussions and maintaining dignity through the process of the death of his body demanded the greatest Warrior Spirit I have experienced so far in my life.
I kept up with the Tour de France this year and during Stage 14 one of the commentators had this quote about the racers: “Once you’ve gone through your limit and hit the wall, there is nothing you can do but hope.”
Ben put his hope in Jesus, His promises, and the reality of Heaven.
“This hope we have as an anchor for our souls.” Hebrews 6:19
