Pastor's Perspective

The two times I saw Jed Williams he was in a hospital bed at Mission. He was a 15 year old boy with many physical disabilities. His parents are Janis and Ted. Janis is the sister of Peggy Tucker, one of our family members here at CrossWalk.

Though I never really got to know Jed through interaction with him, I learned much about him through his mom and aunt Zee (Peggy). Jed's body was confused with disease but his spirit was very strong.

For the Williams family Jed was the centerpiece on the table. Most everything in the family revolved around him because it had to. Janis and Ted and their other two children Sunny (16) and Nathan (6) took great joy in ministering to the special needs that Jed had. I'm sure it was very difficult at times, but if you have ever cared for anyone in your life then you know it's worth every ounce of energy expended.

Jed went on to be with Jesus last Wednesday afternoon in the midst of a failed surgery attempt. It was nobody's fault. It was just his time. He kept his appointment with a happy heart.

Just days before, Jed was able to mow his first lawn and make $10 to boot. A lawn mower company named Promow gave Jed a pull behind his motorized wheelchair reel mower. He was so excited to do something he always wanted to do, something as simple as cutting grass.

According to Janis, Jed had a way of bringing out the best in people. Today, I plan to cut my grass. I know I'll be crying while I'm cutting just thinking about the valuable lesson I learned from a 15 year old boy. I can cut my grass anytime I want to. I don't think I'll take it for granted again.

I love you,

Joe