Jay Lynn

"A good man out of the good treasure of the heart brings forth good things..." Matthew 12:35

The first time I met Jerry "Jay Lynn" Burnette was at a Church state convention in 1995. My precious father-in-law had died in 1994, and my mother-in-law, Jean, had been seeing Jay for a few months. I watched her slide her arm under his as we sat during one of the services, and I was suddenly possessed with an anger I had to fight down! Who was he to show up with Jean like this? How dare they...! I held back tears and began to pray as I sat there, finally asking "How dare I take this attitude?" God, bless Him, calmed me that day, and quickly began to show me what He had already confirmed to them: this match was indeed made in Heaven. Jay's wife had died shortly after Ray. Jay, though a good man, had never followed his wife's devotion to the Lord. After her death, he was saved, and, he said, needed someone beside him to help him in his spiritual walk. Jean, a Christian woman, needed a strong man to support and love her. In short, they were perfect for each other.

Jay was a simple man, kind, honest, and loved and respected by all who knew him. He loved to fish, hunt, and plant. His garden was widely known for producing some of the best vegetables around. He could catch more fish in one weekend and more deer in one season than some outdoorsmen could have hoped for. Jean shocked us all by eagerly joining him. This quilting/sewing/every-hair-in-place city girl soon had her own rods, reels, and deer rifle. What he caught and grew, she would cook, can, or put in the freezer. Dennis loved to say aliens had abducted his Mom and left the new Jean in her place.

There was no wanting around Jay. If there was need Jay could fill, it was filled to overflowing. Many an elderly member needing something fixed found a ready handyman in Jay. His gardens and freezers were open to those in need, and to those who just dropped by for a visit. But his greatest gift to us, his adopted family, was his love. "Papa Jay" was a joy to Jean's children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved to have all of us around. He delighted us with his stories; he willingly shared his every possession; and, in the dark days after Dennis' brother was killed, Jay was our rock. He was Jean's strength and consolation through it all.

Jay left us suddenly on Saturday, April 17, after a short illness. Jean said it was as if he turned on his side, closed his eyes in this world, and opened them in Heaven. I thank God He gave Jay such a peaceful transition. I thank Him that Jean had almost 15 happy and wonderful years with him. But, more than anything, I thank God that He allowed our family to be so mightily blessed by this loving, funny, generous, and Godly man.

We love you, Jay.

"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right had of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls." Hebrews 12:1-3


I watched the very end of the Master's Golf Tournament yesterday. It wasn't that I care for golf; in the world's most boring sports, it falls second in line behind curling (see blog 2/17/2010).

The fascination for me with this tourney was the end, only the very end. Phil Mickelson had come from behind to win again. After a rather disappointing start, he played steadily and whole-heartedly through to the end, even pulling off what some called a "miracle shot" on the 13th hole. Mickelson was surrounded by cheering fans, reporters, and tournament staff all wanting to congratulate him. Mickelson, however, was looking for one face, one smile among all the rest: his wife, Amy, who was waiting at the end. Having been diagnosed with breast cancer eleven months before, Amy was weakened and unable to walk the entire Master's course with her husband. But she was there at the end, smiling through her tears, to share the joy and the victory with him, and that meant everything to him. More important to him than the win, the money, or that (ugly) green coat, was the hug he got from her. He told reporters, "It's something we'll share for the rest of our lives."

At any given point in our lives, the struggle of it all can bring us literally to our knees. We begin to wonder if there is any reason to keep going, any good to come from the fight, any hope left at all. Sickness, financial stress, family issues, trouble on the job...things we sometimes gloss over as "every day" worries...have the power to overwhelm us, to drag us down and keep us down. God knows that. He sent us an advocate, who, at one time, was tired, angry, broken-hearted, even hungry, thirsty, and homeless. He experienced all the cares of this life that He sees us facing now. And He showed us that our faithfulness, our endurance, and our reliance on Him will bring us to the victory.

Some day, I want to be able to stand in His presence, and say with Paul, "I fought the good fight, I finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness..." 2 Tim 4:7-8. I want to run patiently, fight righteously, hope unfailingly, trust completely, and love unconditionally. That will bring me to the end, to that One smiling face and the eternal prize.

And my coat will be white.