Heading into each week, I think about what is relevant to me, what is relevant to you potentially, our community, our world and more.
Sometimes it’s easy to think of things to write about … other times, not so much.
I planned to write about Jim Tressel. We’ve talked that to death most likely, though.
Then a topic pops up and becomes more than obvious.
Two years ago, I had the pleasure of writing about Rick Moore, and his life and battle with cancer over a period of months.
Today, it’s about, as I said Saturday on facebook, “Rand Miller: first-ballot ~ Hall of Faith”
In culture, we can talk about the “it” factor. Someone who gets it.
Rand had an “it” factor, and he got it. (See a pic/link –
He simply lived an axiom that can be overused, “J - esus, O – thers, Y – ou (self).”
Rand Miller was a legacy-leaving man. When it came to all aspects of family. Church. Community. Business.
You name it, and he lived life well and blessed others.
I shared time with him on March 9 at a favorite of both of ours, Panera. We talked about our faith, finishing strong, the priorities of building into men, and much much more.
Ironically, my pastor, Grant Edwards, joined us for about 25 minutes. I remember Grant very intentional asking Rand about his health. Rand talked about his heart (where he had some issues over the years) and how things were going pretty well.
Grant didn’t ask flippantly, and Rand didn’t respond flippantly.
That was the last we’d see of Rand.
I was excited leaving Panera that morning, because Rand had agreed, with another older businessman that same morning, to help us initiate a mentoring program to professional men of all ages. We were excited about engaging between the generations.
That was a big win for me, and the Gathering.
Ironically, I heard this morning at a Locker Room, that Rand had often said he’d love to leave here and enter eternal life, while playing golf.
He and his wife, Sheryl, last activity together was a round of golf in Tennessee.
He met a group of men to study God’s word and apply the scriptures each Tuesday at 6 a.m. at Bob Evan’s.
His daughters, Jennie and Julie, were as different as night and day, but both had Rand in them.
Julie is an encourager and seems like your biggest cheerleader whenever you see her.
Jennie fills a room, and once you’ve met Jennie, you never forget her. She has never met a stranger.
In both cases, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
His grandson, Randon (who I have never met, but heard plenty about), spoke at my son’s Upwards basketball awards a couple of years back, and is known for his intelligence, athletic ability and great faith.
Once again, the apple doesn’t fall from the tree.
After a successful insurance career, Rand spent the last few years of Logo’s (Christian bookstore) existence, engaging customers like few I’ve ever seen at a bookstore.
He treated that job like his only job. He was knowledgeable,
courtesy, and greatly desired to leave his customers satisfied and being grateful for each shopping experience.
I know this weekend, at least one time in heaven, these words were uttered.
“Well done, good and faithful servant.”
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