Jonathon
Yehōnātān (Yahweh has given).
The name Jonathan is of Hebrew origin and means
"God's gift" or "gift of Jehovah". It is derived from the
Hebrew name Yehonatan, which contains the elements yeho (in reference to God)
and Nathan (meaning “to give.”)
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Children are a gift from the LORD; they are a reward from him (Psalms 127:3 NLT).
I told myself that I would never raise another child, I was studying, making new friends, travelling, and enjoying life. If anyone told me that I would take a baby in my life and raised it, I would response with a strong objection. I learned never say never, God has plans for our lives that we never knew about and often we do not understand. That is why I would like to share one of the most wonderful and inspiring periods of my Christian journey, as a mother.
In July 2004 I was given one of the most precious
gifts from God. I came home from my vacation, a cruise around the Caribbean,
awaiting me was a beautiful baby boy. My first reaction was I am not taking
care of this baby, I was told that the mother said I would take the baby, still
my response was a strong no. I bought bottles, milk, and a sterilizer, I was
willing to help with all the necessary things that a baby needed, but I had no
desire to take the child. However, the Lord had His plan and purpose for our lives.
One night the baby mother came to my door and
handed me the baby saying “take him I cannot manage” I took the little bundle
of joy in my arms and placed him on my bed, he never leaves it. This begins a
new purpose full life for me. The very next morning I woke up to behold the
delightful bundle of joy smiling at me. My heart was filled with Joy as I realized
that he was wonderfully created by God, somehow, I thought to myself he belongs
to God, and I would do my best to raised him for the Lord. The word of God came
to me, “He is fearfully and wonderfully made”, there are no mistake children.
He was looking at me with a bright smile, his eyes
were bright and had very long eyelashes, I suddenly began to declare over his
life, “I am a man, I am a man, a holy man, a righteous man, and a godly man.” I
sang this over his life every day, as soon as he could talk, he was declaring
over his own life. He was blessed and named by a professor and pastor from the Theological
seminary I was attending as a student. He told me to name him Jonathan after
King Saul’s son Jonathan, I did not know that he was truly a gift from God.
Jonathon early life was a very joyful one, there
were so many persons taking care of him, the house was filled with young people
who all loved him. His aunt loved him very much and took very good care of him.
She was engaged to be married and had no children of her own, therefore all her
attention was giving to him. At the age of three months, he had surgery to
close off a hernia, his auntie Shelly as he affectionately called her all his life,
spent the night in the hospital with him. This love we had for this baby boy
was tremendous, we never knew or understood what God had planned for us or him
in letting him into our hearts.
The life we shared with Jonathon is worth sharing
with others. If God is sending you a gift, you never gave birth to, but God is
giving don’t refuse! Open your heart and your home there might just be a great
miracle coming your way, such a blessing as we have experience with this
special gift, we received from the Lord Yehōnātān (Yahweh has given). Oh! how
we loved him!!! We treasure the wonderful memories we have of him.
Memories precious memories is what we celebrate
today!!
He came to me as a bundle of joy, he left me as my
big giant baby boy. As I write and reflect on the life, we shared I can’t stop
the tears from falling because my heart is in pain. I will never forget but
will always remember and celebrate the life of my giant baby boy.
I remembered him in his crib which was close to my
bed, he would sleep for awhile and then I always woke up with him snuggled
beside me in my bed as he climbs over every night, it is always the same he
never changes.
Jonathon and Jory
Jonathon a year older than Jory, he welcomes Jory
into the family. He was never left out of his family; they grew up to gather
and had lots of fun memories.
As soon as he could talk, he calls me mommy, as he
grew older it became mom. I was always mom, he called me mom the six word I
heard before he left me. He was my Jonny, his auntie and cousins called him my
precious, yes! He was precious to me. I could not stay mad at him for long, he
would always say, sorry mommy for shouting and then comes the big hug. His big
hug was his trademark.
Jonathon like his name suggested had a heart that loved God and others. He
was very caring and kind. Many persons tell their story of how he showed them
kindness. I recalled being at one of his physical education classes where the
teacher asked another student for his PE shoes, the boy told him that he didn’t
have one, he was told he had to go to the field. On hearing this Jonathon took
off his shoes and gave it to the boy, the teacher asked him when you give your
shoes what will you wear, his joyful response was, “I am wearing a pair of
thick socks, I will go in that.” Many students could testify to him sharing his
lunch, sometimes he gave all of it and do without. There was never a visitor to
our home who was not offered refreshment, even if it was the last juice in the refrigerator,
he would give it.
God give us gifts; they are not perfect gifts but nevertheless wonderful gifts. Jonathon was a very hyperactive child; he was misunderstood by some persons. That did not distract from the wonderful person that he was. He was full of love and kindness; he just did not have it in him to hurt anyone.His kindness was also towards the animals.
I thank God for
creating Jonathon and as I reflect on his life, I see how he was an important
part of God’s plan for the world. I thank God that he had started his journey
of faith well, and most importantly I am convinced that he had finished well.
At age of ten he was
baptized by his uncle Zifus in St. Lucia. Jonathon had a good knowledge of the
word of God, he had been studying bible verses since the age of three. His mom
(grandmother) teaches him a verse weekly, he learned verses alphabetically, he
was taught the bible through the stories of the life of bible characters. He wrote, God delivered the children of
Israel out of Egypt, and He wants to deliver us out of sin. When he was asked
to explain what he meant, he simple answer with a smile, Israel was in bondage
in Egypt and we are in bondage in Egypt and we are in bondage when we live in
sin, and just as God delivers Israel, He wants to deliver us.
At the age of six, he
explained the path to salvation to a man and woman. The woman asked who a
Christian is, the man answered everyone in Jamaica because it is a Christian
country. Jonathon stopped playing his game, “can I tell them who is a Christian
mommy” when he was given permission by his mom. He started with Romans 10:9-10,
he said, “You must believe in your heart that Jesus died on the cross and rose
on the third day and confess with your mouth that he is Lord” he went on to
explained John 3:16, and close with a big, “don’t it, mommy”.
Jonathon’s devotional life began very early, even
before he could speak, his mom had a daily devotional time with him. Every
morning she sang a worship song, read the word, and pray with him. At nights he
could not go to sleep without hearing how much God loves him and had a prayer
over his life. He was taught that God the heavenly father was his father.
He was unique. Just
look at him with the bird sitting on his hand, six persons were chilling out in
the yard, five of them were sitting quietly while he was moving around, yet the
bird choose him, it sat on his hand for a few minutes and flew away. That’s how
special he was, a true gift from God. He was my big giant baby boy, who was
misunderstood by those who never understood love that was pure and simple. Now
he is gone so many persons now speak of his hugs and smile, the love he was
pouring out, they speak so lovingly about my big giant baby boy. If only they
had known this special gift from God, they would have embraced him with love
and patience. I thank the Lord that I had know and cherish this gift given to
me.
His gifts and
talents:
He started to learn
drums at a very early age, in a short time of starting his classes in drums he
began playing in the church where his mom was pastoring.
Along with drumming
he was also a singer, he sang solos in the church, among some of his songs,
Jerusalem, Lord I believe, Agnus Dei and one of his favourite
Blessed Assurance this he sang in Jazz. He began guitar lessons in St. Lucia at
the age of ten, the teacher said he was gifted after three lessons. In a month
he played Bob Marley Redemption song; it was well received.
He studied music at Mr. Bennett school of music for
seven years, these were wonderful years. He really excelled in the music field,
he played at concerts and in Church. In July 2021 Jonathon and mom left Jamaica
and spent six months in the United State, they travelled between Delaware, Maryland,
and Virginia. Jonathon played in the praise and worship team in Delaware and Virginia,
they like how he played and made him a part of the team.
Everywhere he went he made some special friends. In
Delaware he was loved especially by the church family. The bishop wanted to
keep him, he played both drums and guitar and occasionally the keyboard. Both
the bishop and his assistance pastor loved and care for him. The bishop was his
uncle Earl.
I remember the joyful excitement of my giant baby boy as he unpacked his suit uncle Earl bought him; he was so happy that Sunday morning when he walked into church wearing his suit. As he played the guitar, I could hear whispering how handsome he is, he looked like a pastor. He was loved by the members of the church in Delaware.
He grew up in Waterloo Mennonite church, he was
loved there. He had uncles and aunties whom he loved and respect all his life.
I still hear him saying uncle B bring me some sausages. The Buddington family
played an important role in his life from he was a baby. The Dawkins were also
a part of his growth and development, auntie Dawkins as he called her was never
forgotten. The Lord provided spiritual guidance for him all his life. This
verse is special to me: “And so I am sure
confident that God, who began this good work in you, will carry it on until it
is finished on the Day of Christ Jesus.” I have every confidence that God had
began a good work in Jonathon and it was carried out on July 1, 2022, one week
after his eighteen birthday. I strongly believe that he is with the Lord today,
playing music in the heavenly band.
Education and Discipline
From very early in his life auntie Shelly was there, insisting that he should have books and educational toys. She taught him words such as, good morning, please, thanks, excuse me, sorry, and no thank you or yes thank you. These are some of the words that shape him into such a loving and kind young man. He learned how to be truthful and honest from auntie Shelly, she constantly reminds him that it would make him into a trustworthy person. “Trust is earn” she would tell him constantly. When he became a young man, he now was telling me mommy, “trust is earned”. I would reply, yes, auntie Shelly. We had a good laugh at some of the strict lessons he learned from her.
At the age of six he was moved to New
Providence primary school where he was loved by the teachers, and principal. He
was successful in the government assessment grade tests. On his first day after
being tested he was placed in grade two. The teacher loved him and would
challenge him with work that was above average. Jonathon loved this teacher
very much, he would sit with her even after school was dismissed in the
afternoon, you could always find him in her class. We migrated to St. Lucia and
his school life changed, he was not able to hugged his teacher and felt a bit
unloved. This affected his ability to performed academically.
On our return to Jamaica he completed his primary education at Halfway Tree Primary, and went on to Liberty Academy, where he graduated in grade 11. His school life at Liberty was very happy, he got on well with most of the teachers and the principal. He was known by the other students for his kindness. His mom when to school with him for five years, she never left him, she even sat with him in class and helped to take notes. She helped in general assemble by sharing the devotions from time to time, also in teachers meeting and occationally in his class devotion. She was accepted by the principal, teachers and students. She was referred to as Jonathon’s grandma.
His final days on earth:
For we are his
workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared
beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:10)
I remember how hard
it was for him to be patient as a child. I prayed that God was always working
on his behalf, even when I would not see it. I prayed earnestly, that he would
have the patience to wait on God to move in his life, that he would use the
gift of music to glorify God and bless others. Oh! How I miss his guitar music
and singing of songs of praises. I miss his smile, hugs and voice saying,
“mommy, don’t you know I love you very much?” No matter how much others
offended him, he would say to me, “Don’t worry, ‘mi good man’ mi good’.
I am reminded of the
Psalm that tells us, “Those who know your name put their trust in you, for you,
O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you”.
“I am confident that God, had began a good work in my Jonathon, and He carried it out on July 1, 2022. The day before he passed away, I was interceding for him. I cried out to the Lord, “Lord, I raised him for you, not for the world; I don’t want him to be lost, I don’t want him to go to hell”. Immediately I heard the scripture that was given to him at the age of twelve, Isaiah 43:1 But now, this is what the Lord says, he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. I asked him one night what he wanted God to do for him, he responded, “I want to be redeemed”, the next morning on his way to school he opened his bible, and this scripture was given to him. As I prayed that morning, this was what I heard, “do not worry about Jonathon, I have redeemed him, he is mine. I stopped praying immediately. The next morning, the Lord called him home. His last words to me, “mom I am on my way.”
My giant baby boy is now playing music in the heavenly band. I love him, but Jesus loves him best. He is missed by friends and family. I miss him most. I know he is at a better place. This world was not his home, he just passed through.
Lizzie,
I Remember Jonathon because he is always playing with me, I liked jumping on him in
the bed, sometimes he threw me off, and laugh and tells me he is going to put
me in a corner to sit. He gave me a big bear for Christmas and said I must sit
on his lap. I name my bear Jonathon. He is in heaven, and I miss him.
My memory of Jonathon is very funny and makes me
laugh a lot. It was easy for me to get on his nerves, he said when I laugh, I
sound like a dying cat.
He is Mr. get it done. The BS King. He was very
funny. He listened to tic toc 100% volume.
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