Wayman Tisdale & Toby Keith

I heard the news today that county music singer Toby Keith succumbed to stomach cancer at the too young age of 62. Toby Keith was a talented and imperfect man that had a huge heart for helping others. That is just about the best resume any of us could hope for. I wrote a blog about the things the church could learn from his song, “I Love This Bar”.

But my favorite song from Toby Keith was written when his dear friend Wayman Tisdale passed away in May of 2009. Tisdale was one of the all-time great basketball players at Oklahoma University and had a distinguished NBA career. But his first loves were Jesus and music so he retired to pursue those. Toby Keith and Wayman became best friends along the way.

Toby talked about his friend in an interview with newson6 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

“Having a successful career, you meet a thousand celebrities and most of them don’t come as advertised. They kind of break your heart a lot,” Keith said. “Wayman didn’t know he was celebrity. He was one of the most special individuals that I ever met in my life. He changed the way that I view life.”

Keith spent two days reeling from the death of his friend. And then he sat down and penned this amazing tribute titled “Cryin’ for Me (Wayman’s Song}”. I often play this song when someone dear to me dies and goes to be with Jesus. Toby’s lyrics are a perfect summary of how I feel when a Christian friend or family member goes home.

So play it sweet in heaven
Cause that’s right where you want to be
I’m not cryin’ cause I feel so sorry for you
I am cryin’ for me

If we truly believe (and I do) that followers of Jesus are welcomed to heaven then the reality is we are crying for ourselves. We miss the person who has left us but we realize they are in a better place. Toby Keith recognized the impact of Wayman Tisdale went far beyond a great basketball and musical career.

You showed me how I am supposed to live
Now you showed me how to die

When Wayman Tisdale was welcomed to heaven that was why he was no doubt greeted with the cherished words “well done, good and faithful servant”. His basketball and musical skills were amazing but his eternal impact was defined in the song lyrics above.

The first thing I thought of this morning was the heavenly reunion of Toby Keith and Wayman Tisdale.

So play your upsidedown, left handed
Backward bass guitar
I’ll see you on the other side superstar

That just happened. Two incredible talents who realized music or sports was not their identity. Their identity and hope was in Jesus and the realization that we are temporary citizens on this earth.

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, (Philippians 3:20, ESV)

I have so many friends and family I look forward to seeing again someday. What an amazing hope that is to get us through the sorrow of earthly loss. “See you later” is the greatest comfort I can imagine.