Jan
23
2010
Stephan B. Tchividjian (July 29, 1939-January 23, 2010)
My dear father passed away tonight at 6:46 pm at the age of 70. He had been in the hospital since having liver transplant surgery on September 8th. He fought long and hard but tonight his fight is over. We loved him. He will be missed. We are crying. He is rejoicing. As God sweetly reminded me last night, for those who are in Christ, the best is yet to come.
Tonight ended with me singing a hymn over and over in my mind–a hymn that my dad is singing louder now than ever before: “It is not Death to Die”…
It is not death to die
To leave this weary road
And join the saints who dwell on high
Who’ve found their home with God
It is not death to close
The eyes long dimmed by tears
And wake in joy before Your throne
Delivered from our fears
It is not death to fling
Aside this earthly dust
And rise with strong and noble wing
To live among the just
It is not death to hear
The key unlock the door
That sets us free from mortal years
To praise You evermore
Original words by Henri Malan (1787–1864).
What a comfort to know when staring in the face of death that, for those who have placed their trust in the finished work of Christ, it is not death to die.
Thank-you all, my friends, for your prayers over the last few months. They have been answered!
54 Comments
Dear TuTu,
So sorry for your loss, and happy that your father is rejoicing with the Father in Heaven. It has been awesome to watch and read about your adventure and experiences in faith. God Bless, Brad
My brother John just told me of your loss the other day. As you know your dad was a dear friend to me while we were at Montreat College together.In the years that followed he was always a welcome voice of wisdom and encouragement. I have so many fun memories of the times we spent together. I look forward to a bear hug in heaven.
I have prayed for you throughout the last year and will especially again. I am very grateful for your faithfulness to the One we serve. May the Lord bless you richly!
Jim
I just heard the news! I’m sad to hear of his passing but know he was called home. He was an incredible person and I’m glad to have meet him. He shared some very important lessons with me that I will never forget. He truly touched my life. God Bless him and your family.
Ryan
Tullian–
I can not tell you how shocked and saddened I was with the news of your father’s death. Deanna told me several weeks ago, and it has taken me this long to even try to compose something to you regarding him.
As you know, I started seeing your dad as one of his client’s as a complete fluke–I was supposed to be going to him with my then-husband for marriage counseling. Unfortunately, (or fortunate for me I guess!!!) my then-husband walked out mid-session and left your dad and I to start a very wonderful, wacky doctor/client/friend/ comedic relationship–one that I will treasure forever.
Through several years, your dad taught me so much about myself and about God and about people’s perceptions of God. He taught me about patience and boundaries and waiting… He picked me up on days that I thought that I would never be able to hold open my tear-swollen eyes again… and on more than one occasion brought be back down to the reality of being human and all of the fraility that goes along with that. I will forever consider him to be one of my dearest friends.
I can not imagine how much you and your brothers and sisters miss him and his laugh and pearls of wisdom. I know that you are comforted so greatly by his new eternal address… But that still doesn’t make you miss him any less. Please know that he has touched my life and my children’s lives and, I hope, the people that I come into contact with every day in countless ways and I am so thrilled to have know our wonderful Dr. T.
Much love–
Courtenay