On December 5, 2011, I sat down late at night to write the first of what has now become over four hundred and twenty eight blog entries, give or take two or three.
On that night, I began writing with this line,
“So I get this text from, let’s say, a guy named T.J. It contains the following question. What if you woke up today with only the things you asked God for last night? Would you be happy?”
That question pushed me headlong into writing.
The T.J. referenced on that December night now over two years ago was, T.J. Sutton.
Inquisitive, passionate, had a heart that wanted to serve the people of Honduras, and he did.
T.J. was leaving in eighteen days to go on his second mission trip to that country.
I watched T.J. help collect enough change with a group of college age adults to sponsor two children, one from Albania, one from Honduras, for a year.
I sat in the floor with T.J. as he and others counted out a mound of change.
I remember the compassion I saw in T.J.’s eyes when he told me he had decided to go on his first mission trip which was January 2013.
I can see T.J.’s face turn a bright red when I asked him to read a specific verse from the Song of Songs during a relationship class.
I recall the night that T.J. rededicated his life to Christ and came up to me afterward and asked, “What do I do now? How do I help?”
He would tell me about his job. His latest project.
He would tell me about one of the girls he had his eye on in the college age group at church.
He was much smarter and wiser than he admitted being.
His “aw shucks” demeanor never fooled me.
He had a lot to offer.
He helped me rekindle a long lost fire of my own.
And T.J. like the rest of us, just wanted to know where he fit in, what was his purpose.
Earlier this evening, I walked through the foyer of Cannon Cleveland Funeral Home.
As I approached the front door, Todd, T.J.’s father, walked through the other side.
I already knew Todd was on the way.
I did not say a word, I held my arms open, Todd fell into them, and he cried.
Big, burly guy, tough guy, hangs out in tree stands.
His broad shoulders shook and I just held onto him.
In a short time I will leave to go pick up T.J. Sutton and bring him back to where he should be, with his family and friends.
As I told his father, “Once I get to him, I will not leave T.J. until I bring him back to you.”
Twenty six years is way too short.
But T. J. in twenty six years did what millions of people only long to do…
…he changed lives.
He lived out the slogan set by the college age adults that helped sponsor those children…
…change a life and change the world.
T.J. continues to do just that.
Even, now, years later…T.J. is missed and remembered.
Very well written, today has been tough.
Perfection! What an awesome tribute to an awesome young man!
love the article and kind words! He was truly a special person with a lot to offer! He was loved for his generosity as well as his sense of humor.
I agree with “what a great tribute”. TJ was such an awesome guy. He touched everyone’s lives w/his genuine concern for others. He just “fit in” with everyone from the youngest child to the older adults in our church.
thank you for that,I know that was hard to write,he is wrapped in the arms of Jesus now.
I could not agree more. What little I knew of T.J., I found him to be kind, witty, caring, and (as you said) much smarter than he let on, which means he was also humble, a quality of which we find way too little these days. I am so thankful and encouraged by the legacy he leaves with the positive mark that he made in this world. All too often, young people, who are taken much too soon, leave without having anything to really show for their time here. I am not the least bit surprised that T.J. was an exception. I am sad for his family’s loss, but comforted knowing that he rests happily in the arms of Jesus now. We should all live in a way that we can be satisfied with our life when standing before the Father, because as this tragic event has proven, we truly never know when our last will be. Praise the Lord for His gift of salvation and everlasting life with Him!
Knew his parents well and met him at a high school reunion about 20 yrs ago- very sorry to hear this news and may Jesus our savior embrace his family and friends wholly! Ginny , Todd and T.J.’s family – you are in my prayers!
Todd,
Although this is a tremendously tough time there is a lot of peace knowing TJ is saved. I didn’t personally know him but I remember talking to you about your boys with baseball and all there activities. It obvious TJ has a servants heart and touched many lives. If there is anything we can do please let us know. We are praying for you and his brother.
Our warmest regards
Paul Jenkins and family
Ken and I are heartbroken to hear the news of T.J.’s death. I only met him once but could tell that he had a wonderful spirit. Our prayers are with his family as they are surely in the midst of the unthinkable. John, we know you are a comfort to them; 26 years is indeed way too short.
I did not know him but my heart is so sad. what a lost.
reading all the kind things about him and how so
many people loved him. I know it has left a hole in
my heart.
Beautiful! That’s exactly what TJ grew into. A man with a beautiful heart and purpose. He will be missed.