Jimmy Brazell made an impact on a lot of people. And you didn’t have to know him very long to appreciate his simplicity, his transparency and his sincere concern for you and for others. It seems that most people he met considered him one of their good, if not one of their best friends.
It has been a joy to hear from some of these friends as they share their thoughts on how Jimmy made a difference in their lives.
One very special way that Jimmy has been honored and our family has been blessed is by the presentation of several drawings (sketches) of Jimmy by talented friends of Jimmy or of our family. I look forward to over time displaying the drawings on this site.
Jimmy Brazell by Skyler Holmes - (click to enlarge)
This time it is my privilege to present a portrait of Jimmy drawn by a friend, Skyler Holmes. Skyler lives in Georgia and staffed the Survival Camp in Montana with Chandler last July. Skyler was in the group hiking with Jimmy on the day of the accident.
Our family was additionally honored and deeply touched when Skyler and his family drove to Tyler, Texas from Georgia to present this drawing in person. What a privilege to meet and spend time with the Holmes family. What a blessing! I have enjoyed getting to know Skyler and have a sincere appreciation and respect for this young man.
This drawing is taken from a photo of Jimmy that you have possibly seen before. The photo was taken right before he left on his first trip to China while sitting with Rhonda and I on our back porch. The necklace that he is wearing in Skyler’s drawing is a special pendant given to him from a student he taught in China. At the top of the drawing is the verse “Blessed are the pure in Heart, for they shall see God.” This verse found in Matthew 5:8 was one of Jimmy’s life verses and, of course, you can find it written on his desk in his room.
At the end of this post I have included two paragraphs from a paper that Skyler wrote for a school assignment where he shares about Jimmy.
Skyler, thank you for the beautiful drawing , the wonderful gift, and the heartfelt gesture. The drawing continues to reside in our living room by the fireplace! You’re invited to come see it!
Whether you realize it or not, you’re making an impact on lives too. Make it an eternal impact!
Chuck Brazell
Excert from ‘Count It All Joy’ – Skyler Holmes
‘…This experience (speaking of Jimmy’s car wreck and rehabilitation at age 10) left Jimmy with an appreciation for life that was unlike anything I have ever seen. The joy and love that flowed out of him was so obvious, I instantly recognized it the moment that we met. He was a blessing that God put in my life.
A short life is indeed a sharp knife, and the wounds left behind are not easily mended. I will never forget Jimmy, or the way that he lived. He was an angel that God placed in my life for only a week, but that one week turned out to be the most inspiring week that I have lived. So I thank God for it, and pray everyday that He would use me in the same way that He used Chandler Jimmy Brazell.’
Thank you for this letter.
Annie
Thank you for this blog. That excerpt from the paper at the end really made me realize that life is too short to sit around wasting my life. There are too many people out there in the world who need to hear about Christ and his impact in Jimmy’s life. I have realized that I need to be one of those who reaches out and picks someone up out of the deep and brings them closer to God. To Jimmy, I never knew you but I know by what your father says that you lived your life to the fullest. I cannot wait to meet you one day in heaven.
Kenneth, Thank you for sharing and for your kind words. Jimmy would have never guessed that July 31st would be his last day on this earth and the day that he meets his King and begins his eternity with Him in heaven. Life is short whether we have 19 years or 80. We don’t know when we will die or if Christ will return first. How we live our life makes all the difference. Do we live for and serve Christ or do we live for the pleasures of this brief stay on earth. One thing I have learned along with life being short, is that there are a lot of people in need and who are hurting around the world. (even in our own country). And many need the Good News of a Savior. I will join you in being more intentional and to daily share Christ with those the Lord brings before me/us! I look forward to staying in touch!
Thank you so very much for this blog. It has been such a blessing to me already. It is also presents an urgency to do the work that God has given us to do during the short time that we are here on this earth. We are to be about His work!