“Never Say Never!”

One of the things my parents taught me early in my life was to never say never. If they would ever hear me say that I never wanted to do something, they would do their best to see that I did it, all the while reminding me to never say never. It is a good lesson to learn and I have found it to be a valuable one.

I remember on one occasion while I was in Junior High School, my parents wanted me to go to church one summer night to start practice for the Christmas play the youth were doing. I happened to be during Summer Band Camp which we were attending during the day. The Band Camp had special activities every night. This particular night was supposed to be movie night at a theatre. Of course, I preferred to go to that event rather than the church event, but my parents were quite clear that I would be going to the church play practice. I stated that I NEVER wanted to be in that play in the first place. While I was waiting for everyone to get ready I walked out the front door and just kept walking. I went up to the elementary school and hid out behind the building until I was sure it was too late to go to the play practice. Then I went home.

Boy was I in trouble. My parents had called the police to look for me. They had been driving the streets looking for me. They had called all my friends. They had me paged in the movie theatre, and had done everything they could to find me.

To make a long night’s story short, I was a participant in the play at the church that year, although I had a non-speaking part. Apparently they didn’t trust me at that point with a major role. Anyway, can I say I NEVER did anything like that again!

Over the years, I have pastored people with all kinds of illnesses and surgeries, some with long-term and devastating effects. At any number of points, I have been tempted to say that I never wanted to go through what they were going through. But, remembering the lesson from my parents, I have instead just rejoiced that I haven’t had to go through what they were going through.

Then came the day my dermatologist told me I had a skin lymphoma. She had called me into the office so that I could see her eyes when she told me and understand that this was not something she feared, nor should I. After all, any “cancer” is scary in and of itself.

In my case, it is a very rare kind and hard to diagnose. It can be very aggressive, but is very treatable. So I choose to focus on the “very treatable” part and I’m rejoicing that there is a plan that should work. I am eager to get on with it so that I can put this behind me and hopefully have a better future.

I do want to thank you all for your prayers, and especially for your long suffering with me through these last 18 months of weird things happening to my skin. Your patience and support are a great treasure for me. Thank you!

See you Sunday in the place where God says “I will always love you!”

Yours in Christ,
Bro. David