I Lost A Dear Friend This Week

 

I lost a dear friend this week.

Even to type it out doesn’t seem real but it is as real as it comes. 

I first learned of Steve Austin and his work through the Can I Say This At Church podcast in 2018.  I began following him at that time and began listening to his podcast.  I didn’t get it at first because it wasn’t about me or something I could relate to, so, full disclosure, I stopped following.

Then on Twitter one day I saw that he was updating his passport because the Alabama boy was coming to Canada!  Figuring it was going to Vancouver or somewhere I couldn’t get to, I didn’t think much of it but I reached out to him anyways.  Turns out he was coming up to a speaking engagement in a town about 20 minutes from me and then while here, he was speaking twice more (once at my very own small church).  Every moment that Steve was at a pulpit or desk for that entire weekend, I was there. This rekindled my interest in him and the rest is history.

Steve and I shared a ton of laughs and jokes and tears through personal texts as well as formal coaching.  He laughed at my Stone Cold and Million Dollar Man references like he hadn’t heard them countless times.  I was sometimes even referred to as Magic Mike and depending on the company, would change my zoom background accordingly.

Steve Austin was a man who I have no doubt saved countless lives with his work but beyond that, first and foremost, Steve as a family man.  When Steve talked about his kids or his lovely wife, his face lit up.  He was a man who would relish in the joys of this world but also felt the pains.  Steve’s story is one of overcoming adversity and along the way, understanding one’s self and how they got there.

In the end, Steve taught me to trust myself and to do the work.  To think deeper about why I perceived things the way they were and to set boundaries in my life.

I was a crazy Canuck and “bless his heart”, to me he was a good old Southern boy.  By all accounts, our paths shouldn’t have crossed let alone put us in a situation to become friends.  It was because of Steve and his encouragement that I first sat down to write anything; let alone a blog that I’ve run for a year.

An accomplished author and professional, he could also dish out the jokes as well as he could take them.  I’ll never forget the time I got to spend with him and absolutely wish it could have been much longer. 

For now though, the emotions are real and the pain is real and that’s ok.  I know it won’t last forever.  .  I'll lean on the community that he built through his teaching as many of us are feeling lost right now.  I'll lean on friends and family and remember all of the things that made him great.  Mostly, I’ll lean on the resources and teachings that Steve himself provided me to work through this

I’ll miss you Steve.

I lost a dear friend this week.