Remembering Coach Pat

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our 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.” 2 Corinthians 12:14

It is hard to focus when your heart is full of sadness. There is a penchant to “lose heart” when we see things crumbling around us and someone we really care about passes. Even though we knew this was probable and most likely to happen, it is still surreal and crushing.

What a tremendous person we had the privilege of being around. Many words have been used to lovingly remember Coach Pat Wilson. Caring, kindhearted, real, patient, uniquely humorous, impactful, understanding, mentor, genuine, helping others, willing to listen, one you could count on, offered honest advice, quiet leader with encouraging support as a coach. Pat had the best interest of the athlete in mind and heart at all times. He loved coaching and his athletes knew that he cared about them and their success as a competitor and as a person.

A great guy! It hurts as we come to the reality facing us now. We can only fix our eyes on the unseen, focusing on the eternal.

We remember Coach Pat for what we saw in him on an all too short, “temporary” basis. We also remember what was written with an eternal perspective in mind, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you…Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains fall into the sea. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day…The Lord Almighty is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭46‬:1‬-‭8‬, NIV‬‬

I’m praying that you will know His loving, caring, comforting embrace.

Larry