The Gentle Giant

A shaken community, a life well lived and a future with the Father. For both Howard Fisher and the Montreat community, the last few days have been a glimpse into life with the Father. For Howie, it became a reality as he woke up in heaven early Wednesday morning. For the Montreat community, it is the image of Howard praising the Savior at the throne and a reminder of living eternally while still on earth.

Howard Fisher, the gentle giant from Jamaica, was a stellar goal keeper on the Montreat Cavalier soccer team. His smile would change your day and his light-hearted humor would make you laugh in a heartbeat. Howie was a senior, one semester away from graduation, and being looked at to play soccer professionally. He had a sweet girlfriend that he'd planned to married, also graduating this year.

At Christmas, Howard went home and visited the hospital feeling dizzy and weak. He headed back home for the holiday, but realized he was not getting better. At the end of December, Howie was diagnosed with aplastic anemia, a rare condition. The developed state in which it was discovered, did not leave much chance of survival. The CEO of Duke was working with many to bring Howard to the states for treatment, and the school was raising hundreds of thousands to help make the flight and the bone marrow transplant possible. However, our almighty God had other plans.

Howard's mother would stand at his bedside in Jamaica and tell Howie, "Just trust Him." It is our almighty God, still just as powerful as He was Wednesday morning, calling Howard home. And there was no better testimony to this fact than the testimony of his own family, accepting the will of the Lord and His hand at work.

Howie's example, hard-work and love for the Lord will always be remembered. It was a life well lived and is a testimony continued, even after Howard's life here on earth. The memorial service today was truly evangelistic and worshipful, it spoke forth what Howard was all about. One of his favorite worship songs speaks forth his heart's desire.

How lovely is
Your dwelling place
Oh Lord Almighty,
For my soul longs
And even faints
For You
Oh, here my heart
Is satisfied
Within Your presence
I see beneath
The shadow of
Your wings

Better is one day in Your courts
Better is one day in Your house
Better is one day in Your courts
Than thousands elsewhere

One thing I ask,
And I would seek,
To see Your beauty
To find You in
The place Your glory dwells
One thing I ask
And I would seek,
To see Your beauty
To find You in
The place Your glory dwells

His soul will no longer faint or long for Him. Howie now understands this reality better than us, as He has truly seen the Father and is dwelling in His presence at this very moment, no doubt smiling. Never has he, nor have we experienced such inexpressible joy. He asked and sought, and has now seen "The place where His glory dwells."