Benn Kyzer

When I think of Benn - I knew him best as a young boy and young man.

I think of myself at his age - running through the woods - playing in creeks - and swinging on vines.

And his smile - that toothy smile that always seemed to be on his face. Never a boy that needed correction always a boy that laughed.

One of the hardest thing when we loose someone is that we done get to see them for while. As believers we know we will see them later but thats hard.

With Benn though you have the advantage of being people of the outside as Benn was near the water, in the woods. Its as if he were his own Adam walking in the garden in the cool of day. Naming the animals playing with the frogs. Resting in the moonlight.

Benn went to the outer regions of the planet. I’ve seen the picture - far away places having amazing adventures. He was as part of the outdoors as any man could be. Its in these place that you can find his memory. Its in these places that you may feel the closest to Benn until that later time.

I remember a trip that the young men took the young boys on to a cabin above Caesar’s head.

I’ll remember Benn this way running free and unhindered, splashing i the water, playing with bugs and frogs and turtles and smiling that huge smile.

I woke up this morning thinking about the Kyzers and Benn especially . I thought about what little comfort I could offer his family and a single verse came to mind - a familiar verse.

Psalm 23:1–6 (ESV)

1  The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 

2  He makes me lie down in green pastures. 

He leads me beside still waters. 

3  He restores my soul. 

He leads me in paths of righteousness 

for his name’s sake. 

4  Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 

I will fear no evil, 

for you are with me; 

your rod and your staff, 

they comfort me. 

5  You prepare a table before me 

in the presence of my enemies; 

you anoint my head with oil; 

my cup overflows. 

6  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me 

all the days of my life, 

and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord 

forever.

Green pastures and still waters.

As the days forward will be hard and they will. You’ll need friends and family around you and we will be there.

But for right now I want to leave you with an old Hebrew blessing:

Numbers 6:24–26 (ESV)

24  The Lord bless you and keep you; 

25  the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; 

26  the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.