Colin Smith, one of our greatest mentors, teachers, spiritual fathers, and friends has gone to be with the Lord - a bit too soon if you ask me. Way too soon.
For some reason, God brought this integral mentor back into my immediate life for the past 2 weeks. I phrase it that way because while we had not talked for a period of around 5 years, his impression on me was indelible. His ideas, personality, and guidance had never left me. Colin had that way about him. He never left anybody the same. Ever. And so we chatted over e-mail and facebook. And like my good friend Phil, I was able to tell Colin all of the things I needed to tell him. How much he meant to me, how much he taught me, how much I missed him.
He had just moved to Winston-Salem to work at Piedmont Bible College a couple of months ago. He was supposed to be in Mooresville last night preaching. We were supposed to see him yesterday afternoon. We were supposed to see him yesterday.
He called us yesterday morning to let us know he had a cold and didn't want to bring it to the girls. That is just like him - to be so considerate. After all, he has 8 grandchildren of his own - so he knows better. I got the voice-mail from him at 9:30am. We headed to church and went about our way. I got the call from Kristi Walker that evening breaking the news.
Never in my life have I felt that the world was at a loss like I do now.
Christ told his apostles that "the greatest will become the least". I'm not really concerned with the contextual situation as much as I am concerned with relating it to 1 Corinthians 13 telling us that "if we have knowledge but have not love we are nothing." Colin was the greatest in many ways - it is a sure bet that any room he walks into - he has probably forgotten more than most have known. But this did not go to his head. He didn't "lord it over the gentiles (us heathen)" instead - he took it upon himself to become the least - to serve us.
To all Piedmont students,
I am so sorry that you will not get to experience Colin, to learn from him, to eat meals at his house, to talk to you about relationships, have him counsel you and your future spouses, to go to Paris with, to go to the Metropolitan Museum of art and look at Hieroglyphs with, to watch Run Lola Run with, to adamantly deny hard apple cider having any alcohol content, to do puppet shows with, create projects for, translate sentences for. I am so glad that you got to sit under his preaching for at least a few times, that he was able to give your commencement speech this year...you met with the tip of the ice-berg at least.
For some reason, God brought this integral mentor back into my immediate life for the past 2 weeks. I phrase it that way because while we had not talked for a period of around 5 years, his impression on me was indelible. His ideas, personality, and guidance had never left me. Colin had that way about him. He never left anybody the same. Ever. And so we chatted over e-mail and facebook. And like my good friend Phil, I was able to tell Colin all of the things I needed to tell him. How much he meant to me, how much he taught me, how much I missed him.
He had just moved to Winston-Salem to work at Piedmont Bible College a couple of months ago. He was supposed to be in Mooresville last night preaching. We were supposed to see him yesterday afternoon. We were supposed to see him yesterday.
He called us yesterday morning to let us know he had a cold and didn't want to bring it to the girls. That is just like him - to be so considerate. After all, he has 8 grandchildren of his own - so he knows better. I got the voice-mail from him at 9:30am. We headed to church and went about our way. I got the call from Kristi Walker that evening breaking the news.
Never in my life have I felt that the world was at a loss like I do now.
Christ told his apostles that "the greatest will become the least". I'm not really concerned with the contextual situation as much as I am concerned with relating it to 1 Corinthians 13 telling us that "if we have knowledge but have not love we are nothing." Colin was the greatest in many ways - it is a sure bet that any room he walks into - he has probably forgotten more than most have known. But this did not go to his head. He didn't "lord it over the gentiles (us heathen)" instead - he took it upon himself to become the least - to serve us.
To all Piedmont students,
I am so sorry that you will not get to experience Colin, to learn from him, to eat meals at his house, to talk to you about relationships, have him counsel you and your future spouses, to go to Paris with, to go to the Metropolitan Museum of art and look at Hieroglyphs with, to watch Run Lola Run with, to adamantly deny hard apple cider having any alcohol content, to do puppet shows with, create projects for, translate sentences for. I am so glad that you got to sit under his preaching for at least a few times, that he was able to give your commencement speech this year...you met with the tip of the ice-berg at least.
Here's a funny story. We were supposed to be going to a place called Fontainebleau in Paris. We took the train, following Colin, and then proceeded to rent bikes. What followed can only be referred to as the the bike trip from hell - which eventually had us all racing down a highway in heavy traffic, rain, and pain from the bike seats. We all laughed and laughed about that day - because we never found Fontainebleau...a place that Colin had built up for months...but it doesn't matter. Our memories of NOT finding that damned place are better than the ones we would've made otherwise.
I just found out last week that this picture - taken at Basilique du Sacre-Coeur was one of his favorites. This is one of his favorite places in Paris as it overlooks the entire city. We argued for half an hour here about the Pompidou's location. From left to right - Colin, Roberts, Me, Merckle.So today I laugh and reminisce when my faith is strong about the God I serve and His purposes - and I weep and am angry when my Spirit craves the presence of a friend. I am changed because of this man. I love the Bible because of this man. I love God more because of this man. I know how to love my wife better because of this man. I laugh because of this man. And now, I weep because of this man.
7 comments:
I would say you formulated your words very well. What an honoring post.
While visting my son at college on several occasions ,I had the opportunity to attend Chapel and even the class room.Colin was a very unique individual. When teaching or speaking an hour seemed as if it were minutes. It passed so quickly,but the impact will be forever. Thank you Colin for being a part of Chads life and for your influnce on him becoming the Son,the Man,the Teacher,the Husband and the Father he is today
Well spoken, Chad. I was about as shocked as you are when I received the call. He left a definite imprint. And I believe regarding the bikes he said, "If you asked for a bike with a regular seat they gave you a bike with a thumb on it. If you asked for a wide seat, they gave you a bigger thumb."
Oh, and this is William.
Thanks for writing this, Chad. I cried yet again as I read. Similar to your opening paragraphs, my contact with Colin had been reestablished last week through Facebook after having not see him or spoken to him in over two years. I missed him before last week, but I miss him so much more now. I am so thankful though that God allowed me to have Colin's influence in my life for a little while.
donnie, dad, will and matt - thanks for your comments. I'm glad to know that this little write-up meant something to you guys.
Will - that story was priceless...you missed out on said bike riding trip did you not? I use the term missed out loosely by the way...
Hi Chad,
This is Beth(Smith)Pazos. My father was so proud of you. I treasure so much that you regard him so highly.
He lived to inspire people for a yearing toward the Lord, and toward His greatest prize. This is what Dad wanted.
He was my greatest mentor and teacher,too. I can't bear the thought of this journey without him, but I feel blessed that we all were lucky enough to have been along for the ride.
- Beth
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