COACH MEYER’S LAST MESSAGE

Written By: Coach Todd O’Neal

Coach Meyer’s Last Message

Weeks before his death my mentor, my friend, my coach Don Meyer was doing what he was great at- teaching. His entire life had been devoted to others and teaching life skills in the great sport of basketball. I can remember the first time I met him at David Lipscomb College at a basketball camp when I was in the third grade. He had a scowl on his face and intensity in his eyes. I loved basketball and for me to learn it from him was a blessing although I did not feel that way at that time. Lipscomb was the hardest basketball camp I had ever been to. Through thousands of push ups and sit ups Coach Meyer demanded the best out of each one of his campers, and I always left the camp a better player than I did before. I could see it with playing pick up ball with my friends. Moves he taught actually worked and my shot got so much better by working with him. I did not like the defensive end of the court, but coach placed so much significance on it I worked at it and became a decent defender and rebounder.

His last message- he looked tired. He did not stand and stayed in a wheel chair the entire time. The effects of cancer had taken its toll, he was so skinny, but he was still intense and the message he gave is one I will remember forever.

His message was the following - paraphrased.

There is a book that sold 45 million copies called “The Purpose Driven Life” . The first sentence in the book said “It’s not about you.” It is not about me, it is about my brother and every morning I thank my brother for dying for me, for saving me, and for living in me. Jesus living in us brings joy to all of us. Every time I walk through the doors of the cancer care center at Avera it is a joyful experience because Jesus is there. These people are special- they get up in the morning and ask what good things will God do through me today? We are irrigation pipes. God is the one that pours water through us to reach others and help them grow in his love.

You can effect someone’s life with a smile, a touch, or a word. It does not have to be a fire hose, it can be a soft rain. A soft rain is the way to go to help things grow. I am not a customer when I come to Avera, I am a Friend.

Pour yourself into your son that is your life. Don’t just go through the motions. Carmen, my wife, is the kindest person I have ever met. We have loved this town because you have loved us. All of your prayers I can feel them every one of them and it is amazing. Praying for someone or something means a lot. It is powerful calling on the Creator. The Avera Team gave me hope, showed me Christ’s love, and gave me that love. The only way to beat cancer is the team approach really the only way to have success in this live is to live by the team approach and the Avera team is leading the way. There is a hole in all of us that only God can fill. Every day we must fill this hole and if it is not with God it will be something else.

Coach Meyers FINAL FOUR

1. Ecclesiastes 5:19-20- When God gives you worldly possessions and enables then to enjoy them to accept them in their lot and be happy in their work. This is a gift of God. This person seldom looks back on the days of their life because they are occupied with gladness of heart.

Slow down, enjoy what you have. Money doesn’t make you rich. But friends do. Make friends and be the richest man in town.

Work is a blessing, not a curse. It should be joyful. Be occupied with gladness of heart. No need to retire.

2. James 3:13- Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their life and deeds done and humility that comes through it. Wise people are humble. Wise people help other people.I’ve never met a selfish person that was happy nor an unselfish person that was unhappy. Selfishness is not determined by the size of your bank account, it is determined by what is in your heart.

3. Phillipians 4:4-9- Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again, rejoice. Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Don’t worry about anything, but in everything through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses every thought, will guard your hearts and minds in Jesus Christ. Finally brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable- if then is any moral excellence and if there is any praise- dwell on these things. Do what you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

What kind of fuel are you going to juice up with tomorrow? What gets you going? What keeps you going?

4. I Thessalonians 5:16-19- Rejoice always! Pray constantly. Give thanks in everything, for this in God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Don’t stifle the spirit.

Be joyful! Make others joyful by you being joyful. Pray unceasingly- Pray for others. Think about others. Put them in front of yourselves. Give thanks in all situations. I am thankful for my circumstances. Don’t stifle the spirit. The devil will try to. Don’t let him win. Don’t let anyone suck the spirit out of you.

As he did so many times at Lipscomb and Northern State. Coach Meyer brought a team of folks together and got their absolute best out of them. It was amazing to see the whole Avera team of Doctors and Nurses together worshipping, praying, loving, and communicating that love with Coach and others.

How amazing weeks before his life ended he did what he always did and taught us how to look adversity straight in the face and move forward together. Life, my friends, is a team sport. No one can do it alone.

Thank you Coach for that final lesson. It is one that I will not soon forget. Pictures of the Carmen and Don Meyer Center of Excellence in Aberdeen, SD

Beautiful Building with a Cross on the end. This will help many people in the future.

Bust of Coach Meyer at the Center. This is the way he looked all those years ago when I attended camp at David Lipscomb College my third grade year.

I will never forget the three rules- ever.

His Bible has been used and marked up and highlighted. Coach Meyer was studied and loved Scripture.

What an amazing life. So blessed that I could have been just a little part of it.

Coach Meyer and Carmen on the Don Meyer Court at Northern State University. There is also a Don Meyer Court at David Lipscomb University.

Great Bust of Coach Meyer.

My favorite picture of Coach and Carmen.