Justin and Andrew Freedman living expenses
On March 5, 1982 my wife Malinda gave birth to a beautiful, blue eye, blond hair baby boy. We had chosen a different name, but when I first saw our son, I said to Malinda we need to call him "Jonathan" which means "Gift of God."
Father's Day 2020, we received a call that is every parent’s worst nightmare. Jonathan did not wake up that morning. He passed away while sleeping in bed. He died way too young at 38 years old, leaving behind a grieving wife and two small children.
Jonathan deeply loved his family and really enjoyed being a father to two awesome boys, Justin and Andrew (age 7 and 4). Justin and Andrew enjoyed their daddy playing baseball with them. Justin also remembers his daddy playing board games, hide and seek, and watching movies with him. He loved people and was always on the lookout for ways to help others. He took pride in his job and was loyal to his friends. Like all of us, Jon was far from perfect, yet he did seek to do the right thing most of the time. He talked with God often and asked his parents to pray for him and his family. Jonathan taught his children to pray. He knew he needed the help and strength that only comes from God.
Our hearts are broken, yet our trust and faith are in Jesus. For 38 years Jonathan was God's gift to us, and he deeply enriched our lives with his love, smiles, determination, strength, helpfulness and soft heart. Our family is looking forward to the day Jesus returns, when He calls forth from the grave His children.
Hanging on the walls in our home are several paintings by Nathan Greene. One of our favorites is the scene when Jesus bursts forth from the tomb victorious over the power of sin and death. The other is a picture of Jesus holding a little boy on resurrection morning entitled, “Jonny Made Whole”. It reminds me of the healing that Jesus will do on that day. It will be healing of broken bodies, broken health, broken emotions, broken hearts, a broken spirit, a broken life. We believe in the grace, forgiveness, lovingkindness, and mercy of Christ Jesus. We trust in a loving God who has the power to make Jonny whole.
Until then, our eyes and faith remain focused on Jesus. Please pray for our family as we process the loss of Jonathan. We claim two promises. Psalm 34:18 “The Lord is close to the broken-hearted …” and Isaiah 49:25 “I will contend with him who contends with you. And I will save your children.”