For 30 years, Ed Spencer has been our accountant.

Each year, he sends us a packet that guides us in preparing and organizing our tax information. We then take that packet to his office, where Ed works his magic.

But this year, when we took the packet to his office, we received shocking news.

Ed had died.

We had not heard this news or been informed about it.

He did not have a prolonged illness nor did he exhibit outward signs of declining health.

One day he was here, the next day he was gone.

A heart attack.

Just like that.

Ed was a trusted and important person in our lives, and we are saddened by his loss.

We were introduced to Ed when we were in our early 20s. I was just starting out in ministry, and Ed was recommended to us because he had experience doing ministers’ taxes.

Taxes for a minister can be tricky, and Ed expertly guided us through it each and every year. That guidance extended to our real estate holdings and business ventures that we added as the years went along.

Ed took two young “kids” and helped us become financially healthy adults.

And for Ed, that was his ministry.

He wasn’t just doing a person’s taxes. He was helping them accomplish their goals, achieve their dreams, and provide for their families.

That’s what he did for us.

And we are forever grateful to and for him.

He was a Christ-follower who was a peaceful and patient presence.

To us, Ed is an example of how God brings the right people into our lives right when we need them.

We needed Ed.

And we will miss him.