For as long as I can remember, I've always believed in God. When I was young I really struggled with the concept of the "church" - and the feeling that God was separated from everyone else - and that the church was the conduit between them. It never settled with me- and when Shawn and I reconnected in 2000-2001, one of our early conversations circled around the church. I told her that "I didn't believe that it was God *up here* and man *down here* - that our relationship with God was personal and shouldn't be dictated by a church.
Shawn told me about a church she had just started attending and asked if I was open to giving it a shot. I said, sure. I like to think I have an open mind about things.
One Sunday, she invited me to a church called Word of Christ Fellowship. It was there I met a man named Vin Cannatello - the pastor of the church.
I sat next to Shawn and listened to Pastor Vin preach the word of God. In the middle of his sermon - completely off topic from his sermon that day, Vin said "Come on ya'll. It's not God up here and man down there!"
I looked over at Shawn, mouth agape, cynical and skeptical as ever, and whispered "did you tell him to say that?"
She didn't.
After the service, I shook Pastor Vin's hand. I told him I appreciated his words, and Shawn mentioned that I had graduated from UCF with a radio/TV degree. "Oh," Vin said. "Maybe one day we'll work together."
Two weeks later- I committed my life to Christ and became born again.
From that moment on - I learned about my Spiritual Father, in care of my Spiritual Brother, and Pastor Vin became more than just a man of God. We quickly became friends - his family became my family - as an only child - his sons became my brothers. We did indeed end up working together, as I headed up his video ministry.
But it was so much more than that - Pastor Vin officiated Shawn's and my wedding. We'll never forget standing at the altar during our rehearsal, going through the proceedings, and Vin saying - "something big happens here."
Vin turned his sanctuary into our wedding venue with meticulous precision. He went so far as to get a tape measure to measure equidistantly the candelabras on the stage.
That was Pastor Vin. He wanted everything to be perfect.
Our relationship grew into a friendship and from there into family. Studying the word of God under him was enlightening. I bore witness to signs and wonders that to this day, I don't fully understand.
But more so was Vin - my friend - this amazing man of God who was extraordinary because he was ordinary. He wore jeans and loved baseball. He had a terrific sense of humor and was a wellspring of knowledge - you could not help but get wrapped up in a conversation with Vin - and see the excitement of revelation in his eyes. His passion was infectious. His love of people - unparalleled.
Vin taught me more about grace, and mercy, and salvation, and discipleship, and love, and peace through the storms of life - and did so in a way that was every bit as practical as it was ethereal. He was the embodiment of what it means to love your neighbor as you love God. The world could use more of that. I could use more of that.
As time went on, as it often does - our relationship waned - but the fellowship, the lessons, the connection that was made in my early walk with God still resonate with me today.
Having the absolute pleasure to watch this man - be a father, a son, a grandfather, a brother, a leader, an influencer, a teacher, a friend - every time you were around PV - you left the encounter a better person.
Still, there are so many questions I'm left with - why does it always feel like there's never enough time to say the things we should say. For Vin - his time to go home and walk with Jesus came too soon. He is free of any pain and discomfort now - he can dance in the fields of grace and rest in the light of God's love. My heart is heavy - for my family, and my friends, and those who are left behind. For the unanswered questions and the tremendous sense of loss.
One of the last times I ever saw Vin was at a wedding. Had I known then it would have been my last chance to speak with him - I would have told him thank you. Thank you for walking with me to salvation - thank you for allowing me to use my gifts for your ministry. Thank you for playing football with me, for watching the Marlins beat the Yankees in the World Series. Thank you for your counsel. Thank you for your wisdom. Thank you for the laughs, and the hugs, and being someone to look up to and stand next to at the same time.
That it truly was an honor to call you my friend - and thank you for helping me change my life for the better in this life and the next.
"I hope that I can be as good as a man as him - that I can see him again someday."
I know i'll never be the husband, father, friend, Christian, or human being that Vincent Cannatello was during his time with us.
But that's the thing about Vin. Because of who he was I know that I don't have to be to see him again.
i love you, my friend.
- TMS
No comments:
Post a Comment