Our dear friend and faithful Five Minute Friday community member, Joe Siccardi, passed into glory early this morning after suffering a terrible stroke last week Wednesday night. He leaves behind a gaping hole in this community: in the link-up, in the Twitter party, on Facebook, in the comment sections of many of our blogs, and in our hearts.
While we grieve and mourn this significant loss, we also thank the Lord for His mercy, since Joe knew and loved his Savior, Jesus Christ, and is now safe and whole in eternity with Him.
Joe’s sudden, unexpected departure has me thinking this morning about the power of words. As many of you experienced personally, Joe was always ready with encouraging words, and he didn’t hesitate to share them. He always lifted up and never tore down.
I’ve heard from several others in the FMF community who also received an encouraging quote from Joe as recently as Wednesday morning — just hours before he had the stroke. I looked back on my conversation thread on Facebook and saw that Joe had sent me quotes on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday that week. None of us knew — not even Joe — that the messages he posted that week would be among his last, or that December 3rd would be his last time attending the weekly #fmfparty Twitter party.
It got me thinking . . . If that post I shared on social media were to be my final one, what would it say about me?
Particularly in 2020, I’ve been shocked by how many hateful attacks I’ve seen posted online by people who disagree with others. I thank God that it hasn’t happened at all here in the FMF community, but elsewhere, it seems rampant. I even got to be the recipient of one such thread of verbal “attacks” several weeks ago, to such a degree that a few different friends texted me to see if I was okay.
And such is the power of words: they can cause great pain and damage, and they can cause great healing and restoration. They can tear down, and they can build up.
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue.” ~ Proverbs 18:21, ESV
Related post: 100 Bible Verses about the Power of Words
Joe left a lot behind — countless memories and keepsakes for his family, I’m sure. But he also left behind the gift of his words. He wrote several books and used just as many (if not more) words lifting others up. He shined his light well.
How will you choose to use your words?
Joe frequently used the phrase, “Keep looking up.” He wrote it again in one of his final tweets at his last #fmfparty Twitter party on December 3rd:
Keep looking up, friends. The Lord Jesus is coming soon to fetch His people for glory.
“For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.” ~ 1 Thessalonians 4:17, ESV
Encourage one another with these words.
If you have a stroke tomorrow, what words will you leave behind?
Joe didn’t know the day or the hour that Christ would come for him. But by God’s grace, he was ready.
If today turns out to be your last day, are you ready?
Trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will be saved.
Till we chat again, Joe.
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In honor of Joe, I’d like to offer a free download of my book, Letters to Grief, for anyone who is interested.
Just email your request to me at kate@fiveminutefriday.com and I’ll send you a PDF copy.
If you prefer a paperback version, you can find it on Amazon here:
Beautiful Kate! Thank you!
A perfect tribute for our dear friend, Joe. He will be missed.
I was not fortunate to know Joe, but as I read your tribute to his memory, that question “what will your last words be?” echoed in my heart.
Sure, we all want to be remembered when we are gone, but what will that memory be?
Let us live, love, and leave behind, the most precious gift we can: The hope of glory. In Joe’s words: “Keep looking up”
❤⭐❤
Good night Joe, thanking God for your life. Beautifully written Kate x
We’ll miss Joe’s cheerful sharing. A beautiful tribute, Kate.
Oh my word, so sad. Thank you for this beautiful tribute. Even though i am pretty much a wall flower at the fmfparties, Joe reached out to me as well.
Praying for his family. It’s not easy losing a loved one at the holidays.
Thank you for your words, Kate. Joe has been a tremendous support to me in my writing, beta reading my last few books and providing me with so many insights. It is a great loss for all of us, though, his gain. This is a difficult time but I will continue to look up.
Aw, Joe….
This is a lovely tribute, Kate, and the poignancy of the question you raise, of what legacy your presence on social media will leave, is one that we all need consider.
I guess this is the only thanks to Joe I can leave, and it’s not good enough, not by a long shot, for this Giant of love and encouragement.
A faithful friend I never met,
whose words I read most every day,
has cashed in on his final bet
and now has gone away.
He placed his heart in Jesus’ hands,
and now has gone to glory
in those broad unending lands,
the start to his new life-story.
And we are left with memory
of faith-truths that he left
to weave into our legacy
as final earthly gift
to this gentle kindly guide,
that his planted seeds might thrive.
Thank You! This is beautiful! I too received messages those three days too. I keep coming back to my favorite Psalm “Weeping may come for the night, but joy comes with the morning!”
What a beautiful tribute. How was an encouragement to many and he will never know. I never knew Joe personally but I know that Jesus did and that is all that matters. There is comfort knowing he is home on heaven. Praying for his family in this time. This little community means so much to many.
Beautiful, Kate. Sad for those left behind, but Joe is in glory with his Savior. Amen!
Very beautiful, Kate. I most recently experienced a hurtful incident with a dear friend where the words that were shared were not helpful, healing, redemptive, or purpose driven. I extended grace and forgiveness. It’s my hope that my words will be a source of encouragement, uplifting and healing.
beautiful words of honor for a man who well deserved it! Looking forward to chatting with Joe again one day in glory and thanking him for the legacy of words he left behind. I accept the challenge he left us…be safe, stay positive and keep looking up. indeed our tremendous loss as we remain here a bit longer, but oh, Joe, what a gain for you!! till we chat again indeed!
Kate, I am so grieved by this, yet so thankful that I had the opportunity to have read some of Joe’s words on five minute Friday. I used to share on this link. It was a great addition to my own writing. I still follow Andrew and am in touch with a few others. I see Joe’s responses, and yes he was always so encouraging with his words. So I grieve with hope and expectation for we will meet one day, hopefully very soon. Words are tools and they are an influence to manipulate or inspire. May we always, always use our words to bring glory to God, and to encourage others.
Thank-you for this beautiful tribute to Joe. We will miss him, but he is now with Jesus. And thank-you for the reminder about our words!
Beautiful tribute to Joe, Kate, and some very good questions to ponder.
Such a lovely tribute to Joe Kate. Peace be with you Joe.
What a really wonderful post!
Kate, I read your initial email about Joe’s unexpected passing as I headed out on a morning walk. I was heartsick at the news, and I prayed for his family and friends. I thanked God for Joe. And I talked with God about my words and my heart. My life is richer for having had interactions with this godly man. Your words are so perfect. Merry Christmas, friend.