You Took

Below is the poem I wrote for my brother's funeral. It speaks of Rob's overcoming adversities as well as God's righteous plan, albeit mysterious at times.  I miss him unbelievably, but realize we'll be reunited one day.



You Took                                   By Jim Landwehr

You took away his hearing,

So that he might become a friend
to those You also chose for deafness.

So that he might better appreciate
the touch of his loving wife and beautiful daughters

You took away his hearing, Lord
but he listened to You still.

You took away his sister,

So that he might be a blessing
to his brothers and sisters remaining.

So that You could show him the love
of stepbrothers and sisters that he might never have known.

You took away his sister, Lord
but he trusted you still.

You took away his Father,

So that he could be a better father
to his own daughters

So that he might more completely love
his Mother, whose love never ceased.

You took away his Father, Lord
but he loved his Father in heaven still.

You took away his legs,

So that he might better see
that it’s people that matter, not circumstances.

So that he might fully proclaim that
no disability can keep a good man down.

You took away his legs, Lord
but he walked with you still.

You took away his life,

So that we might stand and recognize
the way he touched our lives, each one of us.

So that his memory shall resonate
for decades to come; an echo he hears in heaven

You took away his life, Lord
and now he’s with You, and us, forever.