Lyle Nielsen is my sister-in-law Candi’s father.
Lyle is a wonderful Christian man. If you knew him you would have liked
him. Really. I’m not just saying that.
Lyle has a family who are some of the most terrific, loving,
fun, thoughtful, outstanding people I’ve ever known. This is due to many factors, no doubt, but
it’s primarily due to the work of God in their lives.
One of the main reasons that they know God is because of
Lyle’s love of God and his life of faithful, committed service to the Lord Jesus
Christ. Lyle’s life has been a steady,
consistent and beautiful example of the abundant life of which Jesus spoke.
Lyle has been a paraplegic—as the result of an automobile
accident—for the last 32 years of his life.
I find it to be an interesting and inspiring testimony to the character
of this man to know that Lyle did not whine, complain or shake the fist of an
angry victim at God because of this life-altering disability.
Lyle did this instead:
He lived.
He laughed.
He told stories.
He loved his wife.
He sang.
He danced at his grandchildren’s weddings. (He did.
I saw it.)
He spoke words of love, hope and encouragement to his
children.
He served God.
He served others.
He gave loving, Godly, wise advice to fortunate people like
me.
He worshiped God with his heart, soul, mind and strength.
Today Lyle died.
But he didn’t really die in the most ultimate sense of that
word because those who die knowing Jesus have this promise from Jesus: “I am
the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall
he live…” John 11:25
That is an incredibly important promise. Wouldn’t you agree?
Lyle’s family loves him very much. He will be dearly missed. They will grieve his passing.
But because of Jesus, those of us who love Lyle will also
rejoice. Yes, there will be tears on our
cheeks but we rejoice to know that Lyle has not ceased to exist. In fact, he is singing and dancing and
praising Jesus with an all new power, vitality and excitement.
The wheelchair is gone.
The earthly limitations are gone.
The struggles of this life are gone.
And in place of those things is life eternal. Life in its most vibrant, thrilling,
fulfilling, and meaningful sense. Life
in the awesome, unspeakable light and presence of the Lord Jesus.
My sincerest prayers go out to the entire Nielsen family
(and extended family) during this time of grief. You are dear to me and I love you all more
than I could ever express with words.
God surely blessed you all—and others of us, as well—with the life of
Lyle.
Be assured that God’s love and blessings endure forever!
Dan Marler
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