. . . dave, the selfless . . .

This morning around 7:10 am I was admitted to pre-op along with Rosemary and her girls to see her husband Dave who was preparing for surgery to remove cancer from his pancreas.
Dave is 72 years old, and one of the kindest and encouraging people I've ever met.

I remember the day I met Dave. I was taking a lunch break in our church lobby and he walked in. He didn't walk up to me or indicate that he wanted to talk. However, I looked up at him and said something along the lines of, "have you ever read something so intuitive that it convinced you of something you really need to do?" He then sat down and we talked through the idea of older Christians mentoring new Christians (and not based on age). He shared with me how successful teachers are when they are mentored.

I wouldn't say that Dave and I are besties, but he is somebody that inspires me... like a good Elementary School principal should. And his wife Rosemary is a beautiful soul who has shared her own adoption story and her heart for orphans.

When I saw the post on Facebook that Dave has pancreatic cancer, my heart sunk. The first thing I knew to offer was a prayer circle. Now, nearly a month after his diagnosis I arose early to pray with him and his family before surgery.

When I arrived, their daughter Cortney ushered me to where Rosemary and her sister Amy were hanging out in the waiting room. Normally I can be pretty stoic during these times, but I couldn't even say hello. If words came out, they would have been followed by tears - possibly sobbing. Instead, I hugged Rosemary and took a deep breath. I will always remember Rev. Karen Lampe's words that pastors are supposed to be the strong ones, we must remain in control of our emotions during tough times. I can't help being an emotional being, but I understand why. They have probably shed enough tears that they don't need the pastor crying too. So I sucked it up and put on my big girl pants.

Within 10 minutes we were led back to the pre-op room to see Dave. I know Dave to be a strong man, and to see him in such a vulnerable position was almost too overwhelming. Again, big girl pants.

After the anesthesiologist finished his talk with Dave we were allowed to surround Dave. I took my place on his right and told him how the entire church was acting as his prayer angels, not warriors. I never have understood why we go to battle with prayer. We are praying to God, it connects us to God. It is not a battle at all.

I asked Dave if he had any Scripture he wanted to be read and he said any would do which was good because I had one picked for him. Revelation 21:1-5.

"Behold I am doing a new thing!"

After, I anointed his head with oil, and we held hands and prayed.

Before leaving I told Dave I couldn't understand why he would be proud of me for coming. He had left me that comment on a post I made last night telling him I was praying hard. I told him I was the proud one to have the honor to see him before surgery, and that his courage and faithfulness are inspiring. He then turned it on me to tell me how much he thinks I'm an excellent minister, and that he and Rose Mary love hearing me pray. Even with anxiousness written on his face, he was still the encouraging person I've known him to be.

This is the kind of person Dave is - always putting others first.

As we turned to leave and as they were preparing to start an epidural, he told Rosemary, if you get to come back before surgery, don't be afraid. I'm going to have tubes in my neck and arms. It'll look scary, but don't be afraid.

Don't be afraid. That's who Dave is - always looking out for others.

I am so fortunate to know this man.