Because of Bub

As I watched a steady stream of young men and women file into the Cooper's house the day after Jacob was called home, I snapped this picture.

Even though hearts were shattered into a million pieces, God was constantly working. I watched grown men hug, cry, and say I love you to one another more than I've ever seen in my lifetime. There are unborn babies already named after Bub. He may not be here on this Earth with us, but oh my goodness how he is still alive. The t-shirts, hats, decals, and the "First Annual Burn Outs For Bub...." no words can even describe it! Jacob left a legacy of good friends and family who will forever be changed, for the better, because of the 20 years God gave him here with us. These young men who were Coop's best friends will be better daddies, brothers, and sons because of Jake.

Again...time...oh how our time here is fleeting. We can't get any of it back, not even a single second! In times like these we all wish we had just a little more time. I listened as Bub's dad, Jimbo, tried to explain what he would give for just one more hug. The pain was evident in his eyes as he tried to gather words. The crippling emotion pierced the room when he held out his hands wishing he could touch his son one last time. This is something no parent should ever have to experience. Watching his mom, Christina, go to her knees as she hit the ground screaming "no, no, no...." when she heard the news that she wouldn't see her baby again here on Earth is a sound I'll never forget. I sat with Jace in Jacob's room as he looked around at each item. Jace was immediately lost. Jace has never known life without his big brother, and in one second that changed. The look of fear as Hannah, Jacob's girlfriend, ran through the house to find Jimbo and Christina just to hear the unbearable news is pain a young woman can't comprehend. Surrounded by people who loved them, still there was nothing anyone could say or do to make those moments anymore bearable.

Asking God why is something we all have done a million times at this point, and still His answer will remain the same in Proverbs 3:5 "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding." We can't understand or know why this side of Heaven, and He doesn't expect us to always be okay. God knew we would face this day, so He gave us five life rafts to keep us afloat. His son, His word, the assurance we can see Jacob again, family, and friends. We have to cling to that hope and His promise alone. Still....why Jacob though? Why not the murderers, rapists, and all the "bad people" that cause others so much pain? It's simple...Jacob was ready, and they are not! Jacob was ready to meet Jesus face to face. Jacob had been saved and baptized and even had the scripture printed proudly on his arm. If God only took all the "bad people" there would never be prayers, hugs, tears, love, grace, or most importantly more people giving their life to the Lord. In Jacob's 20 years here his story, his verse, his life, and his friendships were more purposeful in that short amount of time because God knew the plan all along. He used Jacob as an ultimate vessel.

The words Eric spoke at Jake's funeral are perfect! They went like this...

Sometimes God gives us one of His special people for just a short time, where we can learn really powerful lessons. Unfortunately for us, Jacob is one of those people. They get to teach us to forgive quicker, apologize, love deeper, and appreciate each day we get here on Earth with the ones we love. Today I’m not going to use was or any past tense, but instead use the word is, because Jacob is still loved, and always will be a part of our lives. He is a son. He is a brother. He is a boyfriend, he is a nephew, he is a friend, and most importantly today, he is a believer.

I could go on and on about Jacob, but I think the line that wrapped around the building last night at visitation speaks for itself. And again a few nights ago, I watched a steady stream of broken hearted young men and women file into his house, each one stopping to hug his mom, dad, brother, and girlfriend. It’s obvious how much Jacob is loved and the impact he has on those around him.

Jacob is the one that made me an uncle. For the first time I had a title that carried weight. I had two little boys to keep me in line. He and his brother Jace, taught me real lessons to prepare me for being a dad. I learned what Dr. Pepper and king sized candy bars can do to a kid! On one of our adventures filling up deer feeders, I pulled into Max-A-Mart and told Jake to get him a drink and a snack. We hadn’t even made it to the first feeder when I realized that we had probably hit our maximum recommended sugar intake for the day! Savanna and Christina weren’t as impressed with my unregulated snack choices as Jake and me.

When Jace came along Christina and Jimbo realized Jacob might have an extra gear. Jacob lives life fast. It was a common thing to see him on two wheels in the backyard on his four wheeler. I remember one time we had my wife's little sister with us while visiting. Her and Jacob promptly flipped the four over on its side going up the dirt pile at full throttle. All Jake was concerned about was getting that thing flipped back over before it died. There aint no telling how many Easter ducks he went through. He’d just tuck those things under his pillow while catching up on his cartoons.

Jacob did most of the county road driving while Savanna and I had them. I’d let him almost get us into the fence row before I’d slowly correct his direction. He thought it was the funniest thing that he would have us in the ditch. These county road driving lessons were probably the reason he drove that yellow truck like he did! He was just doing it like we would in my work truck. I also learned that you could wear a horn smooth out. Literally this kid honked my horn until it stopped. It made a sad little fading out honking sound, and the boys thought it was the funniest thing. All I could think is, “I got to figure out how to fix this horn before this inspection sticker runs out!"

Jacob took after his mom with his determination. Some may even call it a bit stubborn.

He was so “determined” that even though a weenie dog is attached to the end of the leash, he had to get that perfect knot tied. Forget the fact the dog was half a foot off the ground. He just worked on tying that knot. His tongue sticking out one side of his mouth and a squinted look of focus in his eyes. All the while, poor Winnie is just dangling from the swing set. Don’t worry Jacob loves dogs. He’d always cut her just enough slack. And how do you even get onto a little boy with that Jimbo charm? He’d just look up and give you that big ole smile.

Poor Jace was broke in right. When those two were little, they were an entertaining duo. They would stay busy all day and night. Jake would be constantly working on things and Jace would be trying to help. One day I watched Jacob point blank shoot a nerf bullet down Jace's throat! It was such a clean shot Jace didn’t even act like it phased him. After some close observation and a light scolding, they just went on about their business. There weren't any dull moments with those two.

I guess I’m some what to blame for all this duck stuff up here. I helped get Jake started early. When he was about twelve I showed up well before daylight one morning. I snuck into the house to wake him, and to my surprise, he was already up. He was dressed and ready to go. I thought to myself, “We may have a duck hunter on our hands." After well over an hour of walking, throwing decoys, settling into a warm spot, we sat and waited for the sun to break. Every time I looked over there, he'd just be smiling that big ole smile. He would just be trying to mimic whatever thing I'd be doing to stay warm or hid from the ducks. We blew the call and went through all the motions like there were hundreds of ducks just about to come over the tree line. We never got one that morning, but I knew the seed was planted, because he never complained about the cold, wet, hard work of gathering all that gear back up, and walking out. He just kept smiling.

The Bible tells us in Psalms 39:4 Lord remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered - how fleeting my life is.

Now Jacob is going to be disappointed if any of us don’t make it to see him again. He wouldn’t want any of you young men or women that love him to be mad at the God that’s taking such good care of him as we speak. What he does want you to know is:

-None of us are perfect.

-We all sin and fall short of who we could be.

-But there was this guy named Jesus that was born and lived a sinless life.

-He died on the cross to forgive our sins.

-Then He was resurrected after three days.

-And if we talk to Him about where we're screwing up, and ask Him into our hearts, he’ll make a new, better person out of you.

-Then one day you’ll get to see Jacob again.

I guarantee this decision will change your life and bond you with Jacob in a way that you can not imagine.

At Jacobs age it's easy to get lost in chasing an education, a job, a plan, the next big thing. But as we sit here today we realize that none of those things really matter. It’s the time we spend with one another, the love we share, and the memories that we’ll never forget.

It’s hard not to question why, but let me reassure you today that God’s plans are greater than our biggest dreams. Jacob wouldn’t trade places with anyone in this room right now. Jacob’s life was lived to the fullest, and his purpose was fulfilled as God had planned. Jacob's purpose was to make us appreciate today. To slow down and enjoy this life, to love more, forgive more, smile more, and maybe even get somebody in here saved.

I was in deep thought on how to wrap this up while I was standing behind my wife two days ago as she was going through the slide show. The picture of Jacob's forearm appeared, and I had goosebumps immediately surface. So I let Jacob pick this one! He gave me this closing verse. I know it’s important to him, because the guy has it on his forearm.

So do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. -Isaiah 41:10

Every day we will miss Jacob; there is no doubt about that. I'm honored to be Jacob's aunt and able to write this blog. Jacob's family would love nothing more than seeing others give their life to the Lord. We will be reminded daily how precious our time is with our loved ones. We will remember each day that we are constantly Loving On Borrowed Time.