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Dare To Dream

7/17/2018

2 Comments

 
Picture
This photo was taken in the fall of 1982 for the Northeast Missouri State University basketball media information center.  I was ready to embark upon my final year of college. 

As I look at the photo I am reminded at just how much my mom and dad hated my "long" hair during my college years.  I look at it now and wish for just a fraction of the thickness that I had back then.  It is hard to imagine that just three years after this photo was taken I would be completely bald due to chemotherapy treatments.  There would be no running up and down a basketball court; there would be no throwing an 85 mph fastball; instead, there would be people to assist me getting out of bed.  I could have never pictured such a turn of events in my life.

At the end of my junior year in college I had  been selected to the baseball All-Conference First Team.  I went undefeated as a pitcher compiling a record of five wins and no losses.  Starting a season at 5-0 as a pitcher did not seem like a big deal at the time.  However, that feat was not accomplished again at Northeast (now Truman State University) for over 30 years.  Imagine my surprise when I was doing a "Google" search and saw my name in a newspaper article in Iowa stating that my statistic had held up for all those years.  As I look back now, it is still difficult to believe that I went from being physically fit and playing two sports at the collegiate level, only to find myself in a life and death battle a short time later. 

I was a starter on the basketball team my junior and senior years, but I was not good enough to play pro sports either in basketball or baseball.  However, the college experience sure provided many wonderful memories.  It also taught me much about self-discipline and sacrifice.  Staying in good physical shape all year round was also beneficial.  I think it helped prepare me for the battle that would soon be in front of me.

Keeping up with studies while traveling for sports always had to remain a priority.  My most treasured award from college was being named to the Academic All-American Baseball Team in 1983.  I was not just an athlete.  I was a student-athlete who wanted to succeed academically.  I was able to do just that.  God had blessed my life abundantly.

Then on July 17, 1986 I was diagnosed with cancer.  That was just a mere three years after graduating from college.  What was happening to all of my dreams at that point?  I had been a healthy young man.  How could this be?

As I now celebrate 32 years of survival since that diagnosis, it provides me with an opportunity to simply reflect back upon what has transpired since that shocking diagnosis.  I could have never imagined where life would lead.  Getting married, having children, and becoming a deacon were not even on the radar while I was going through chemotherapy treatments.  I thought there was no point to dream.  My life had changed in the blink of an eye, and finding a reason to hope was beyond difficult.  I stopped dreaming of a bright future.

I won't go through the entire journey in this blog post.  That is what I covered in my book.  However, I just want to say that I missed opportunities to see the glory of God in the midst of the suffering.  I focused on myself rather than focusing on God.  It is difficult to maintain hope if we fail to look to the One that provides us with a reason to hope.

Today, I invite you to dream.  Whatever challenges you face in life, don't give up hope.  Stay focused on the One that provides hope.  Don't give up your dreams.  I know from first-hand experience that it isn't easy.  However,  I also know that if you persevere one day at a time, sometimes one minute at a time, you can overcome greater things than you may have ever imagined.  If you are in a tough spot right now--hang in there.  Keep fighting and keep praying.


I lost a lot of things at an early age due to this diagnosis, and I felt cheated for a long time.  Thankfully, God is patient.  It took years for me to realize what I had also gained in the process.  God brings good out of suffering.  I knew this. After all, that is what the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus tells us.  Amid His suffering and death came redemption and healing for sinners.  Unfortunately, when I was the person in the midst of the suffering, I was unable to see those things clearly.  I failed to understand.  Subsequently, I failed to put it all into proper perspective at the time.

Bottom line--my ministry and my life has been shaped by the experience of suffering.  Did I choose this particular path of learning?  Absolutely not!  But once I learned to accept it (at least partially), the Lord could work within me and through me.  There are times I still resist, and there will always be room for growth.  However, I am still daring to dream.  If not, I would have never made such a drastic move across the country from Wyoming to South Carolina at this stage of my life.  I felt the tug of God on my heart leading me to Hilton Head Island to St. Francis by the Sea.  I am excited to see what God has in store for this new adventure.

  Where is God leading you?

2 Comments
Ruth Lindemann
7/17/2018 07:25:09 am

Congratulations to you and your family. Hope to visit you all someday in that lovely new location.

Reply
Mark Dobelmann
7/17/2018 08:17:56 pm

The week before she died, mom told me I needed a haircut

Reply



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    This is my personal blog.  The opinions expressed are those of Deacon Vernon and the blog's readers.  This site operates independently and is not affiliated with any other entity. The information I provide is on an "as-is" basis. I make no representations as to the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of any information on this blog. I will not be liable for any errors or omissions in this information. Furthermore, I will not be liable for any losses, injuries, or damages arising from its use.

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