There isn’t much to like about seagulls. They’re noisy, obnoxious and invasive. But this weekend, as I found myself wrestling with how to navigate the news, resolve my fears and hold on to joy, a flock of seagulls taught me a fantastic lesson. On Sunday, my wife and I took our four children on an adventure to a neighboring beach community. After a cold weather snap and an above-average flu season, we needed some time out of the house. As […]
I was lying in bed, my head resting on my wife’s chest, and I was weeping. I could feel her crying as well. Her hand gently stroked my hair, soothing my sadness. But it wasn’t sadness that caused the tears to flow that night—it was humility. Earlier that day, I had been diagnosed with cancer—spreading malignant melanoma. Despite this life-altering news, I felt remarkably close to God. Regardless of the prognosis, I felt certain that He had a plan. Listen to […]
Classic hymns like The Old Rugged Cross take me back to childhood memories of church, where the organ music echoed throughout the sanctuary and bounced off of the stained-glass windows. I remember being in awe of the majesty and reverence of God back then, but years of hearing the story over and over and seeing the imperfections of religion had a deadening effect on my spirit. As I grew older, ambition and success replaced any subtle notion of God’s love. Sure, I believed. […]
At the age of thirty-two, I was diagnosed with spreading malignant melanoma. That moment was a turning point in my life—a pivotal intersection of the way I wanted my life to go and my new reality. When the doctor’s eyes connected with mine as she gave me my diagnosis, it pierced me in a way I had never experienced. For the first time in my life I faced my own mortality. I can honestly say that I wasn’t afraid of dying. I […]
My scar is beginning to heal, my staples have been removed, and I am starting to get back to life. A new life, one that has cancer forever written on its medical chart. Just this week, I had a tearful conversation with a physicians assistant who just lost a thirty-something to the exact same diagnosis. A constant reminder of the grace I have been shown. I went swimming for the first time last week and actually went for my first […]
Just last night Liz and I watched the final scene from the epic World War II tribute, Saving Private Ryan. The story tells of an Army Ranger unit that is charged with the task of searching for and saving Private James Ryan (Matt Damon), a fellow Army paratrooper, from behind enemy lines. The Ranger’s Captain, John Miller, played by Tom Hanks, leads his squad on the rescue mission and finds Private Ryan. As they seek refuge, they learn that the Germans […]
Yesterday was one of those days. A day so heavy, I could hardly stomach the reality I was facing. For the past few months, my wife has been asking me to go see a dermatologist to get my skin checked. It seemed like such a waste of time. Besides, it’s something I had already done a few years ago. But despite my hard-headed nature, especially when it comes to doctors, I decided to comply with my wife’s request. My dermatologist happens […]
We get busy in life. Matt reminds us of why we dedicate ourselves to something other than ourselves.
- Robert Wagnon, CEO, Republic State Mortgage
