I had the opportunity to attend the celebration of life for Gary Nelson, mostly notably the past President of Tyndale University. My meeting of Gary was through Church Planting Canada, though he was certainly well known in the leadership circles of The Church in North America having led Canadian Baptists Ministry as well.

As Lee Graves was in town, he asked if I would be able to take him to the funeral service and I was delighted to do so.

My most notable memory was of Gary arguing that the dandelion should be our example of evangelism – grows anywhere, is prolific in its ability to seed itself, and is almost indestructible in its results.

I used that imagery one day for a short address I was making and brought one dandelion plant in a planter to make the illustration.

Like all funeral services, it is a good reminder of the brevity of life – no matter your station in life – our days here are fleeting and Scripture reminds us to use every day as a gift from God and to “number our days”.

Did you know Gary? What are your thoughts about the brevity of life?