Thankfully, Vince Flynn Didn't Live on “Someday Isle”

There is a physical heaviness that often accompanies grief. I liken it to the feeling of the leaded apron used for x-ray protection at the dentist’s office. And I’ve come to know that heaviness all too well over the last several years from loss in my own life. 

This past week, grief settled in on me again as I learned of the untimely death of author Vince Flynn at 47.

No, I didn’t know Vince personally. The closest I can come to saying I “knew” him is that one of my cousins was his college classmate and helped Vince publish his first novel.  But like millions of others, I was a raving fan of every one of Vince Flynn’s action packed counter-terrorism thrillers. All 14 of them. 

As I’ve read different tributes about Vince, I’ve been struck by the way so many of us have been blessed as a result of his courage and tenacity in pursuit of his dream. Let’s start with the fact that he overcame a significant struggle with dyslexia in his early days. After college, he left a promising corporate career and worked part-time as a bartender for two years to pursue writing.

Were those efforts immediately rewarded? Not exactly. He received 69 rejection letters for his first manuscript. So he self published with the help of some friends who believed in him. It’s almost inconceivable to realize that a beloved author who sold over 15 million books had a hard time getting his first novel published. But he did. 

What great lessons for each of us. How often do we allow an obstacle or disability in our life limit our dreams or just shut us down? How many times do we put a dream on the back burner and say “someday, I’ll?” It’s so easy to grow discouraged when we don’t see immediate results from our efforts. Or to allow the naysayers to cause us to lose confidence in our dream. I’ve struggled with all of these…and you probably have too.

 But I’m also incredibly inspired by the sterling character of Vince Flynn. He was a patriot who loved our country and supported our troops in countless ways. A kind and humble man. He loved his family, his friends, his community. He had a deep and abiding faith. From all accounts, success didn’t change him. Success allowed him to make a huge impact with his short life. 

Thank you, Vince Flynn. Thank you for your entertaining books and, most of all, thank you for being a great role model.

None of us knows how many days we’ll be alive. Let’s make today count. And give up living on “Someday Isle.” Only God knows the potential difference we can make with our lives.