NORTHWEST ARKANSAS — A wonderful musician came into my life some 15 years ago. His name was Dennis Jernigan.
I went to a number of his concerts in Edmond, Okla., and I also purchased his songbooks. Through them, Dennis spoke to my soul. That’s why at this time in my struggle against cancer I turned once again to Dennis and to his music. I hope you will agree, even without hearing the melody, the strength and message of truth in his music.
One of my favorites and one we sing a lot on Emmaus walks is “You Are My All in All.” The words leaped out to me as I write this column. “You are my strength when I am weak, You are the treasure that I seek; You are my all in all. Seeking you as a precious jewel, Lord to give up, I’d be a fool; You are my all in all. When I fall down You pick me up, when I am dry you fill my cup; You are my All in All.”
That has been my prayer each day as I look toward Him for strength. Even in the days when my cup is dry, I know it will be filled.
As some of you have experienced and others watched the process, chemo and radiation not only strive to destroy the cancer cells; they also destroy some of the good cells along the way. I now have experienced the first segment of a roller-coaster ride that is designed to bring me to my knees and back again.
I’m reminded of a book written by James W. Moore, another great author favorite of mine. The book’s title is “You Can Get Better Or Bitter.” Maybe you’ve read some of his works. I loved the book “God Was Here and I Was Out To Lunch.” Another one of my favorites is “Yes Lord I Have Sinned, But I Have Several Excellent Excuses.”
The message the author wanted to impart was this: “In the midst of loss, no matter what the loss is that has brought you to your knees, you do have a choice. Even when it seems like everything you had nailed down has come loose. Even in the midst of grief over the loss of a loved one. Even when family turns against family, even when economic losses have knocked our world upside down, we still have a choice.”
The book publisher wrote on the back cover these poignant words: “All of us, at one time or another, face sorrow, grief or loss — these challenges spare no one. The question is: How will we respond to these challenges?”
While I cannot say I’m doing great, I can tell you that you have lifted me up in your prayers and that I can feel each one and thank God for you and for your families. I also want you to know that I have met some of the most wonderful people, those who care for cancer patients. Their dedication and their strength of character would make anyone stand and shout “God is Good, All the Time.”
Shalom!