Practical Proverbial, from Matthew, 6 October 2025. Today's topic: Pat Hughes

His Word, Our Journey

Also found at https://aspiringwriterdtcom.wordpress.com/2025/10/06/practical-proverbial-from-matthew-6-october-2025-todays-topic-pat-hughes/

“You have said so,” Jesus replied. “But I say to all of you: From now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Matthew 26:64 (NIV).

I’m going to comment on this scripture tomorrow. For now, I want to share something else. Yesterday, I learned that my friend, Pat Hughes, had passed away. Pat and I served in the Air Force, where he was a mentor, friend, and fellow warrior. We served in special programs together.

Fifteen years ago, when I nuked my life, Pat was one of the people who contacted me, and told me to keep faith and move forward. He didn’t coddle me or my sins, but told me to accept what I’d done and repair what damage I could. I had never fully realized how much of a believer Pat was until then, even though he and I had talked about faith over the years. I made it through that time and built a new marriage with my wife because of God’s help and that of solid friends like Pat.

Yesterday, Pat Hughes died of ALS: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Pat found out he had ALS well over a decade ago. I had seen him several times over the years, and the first time I saw him after learning of his diagnosis, we talked about it and he said, “whatever they tell me to do, I do it.” That included unconventional therapy he undertook on his own. Pat had always been a gym rat, and after learning he had the condition he doubled down, punishing himself to keep strong. Pat was realistic about it; he always knew his condition was terminal. But he was determined that the disease would have to fight to get him.

It finally did, but if I know my friend, it had to take him kicking and screaming. Pat took his treatments, and performed his grueling regimen, and outlived everyone in his diagnosis group by many years. I believe he was part of a study on how he persisted so long with ALS, and his struggles, failures, and successes in combatting the affliction will be studied by doctors for years to come. He won’t have died in vain because others will benefit from learning how Pat Hughes battled this disease.

I hope they also learn what a good man he was. He encouraged me in my faith in Jesus during the worst time of my life to keep on believing and man up again. I’m comforted by knowing others will live better, longer lives because of what He did, and that my friend has started the part of his life that is eternal. And by knowing He saw the Son of Man and the Mighty One yesterday, and that Pat was welcomed into his new home with his Lord.

For more, read Matthew 26:65

Lord, welcome Pat Hughes home, and comfort his family here.