Receiving Comfort

Within three days of my ALS confirmation, I was given the cell number of Ed Dobson.  In case you are not familiar with him, he is a somewhat famous in Christian circles (read more about him on Wikipedia or his website).

Ed was a well-known pastor of a megachurch in Grand Rapids, MI for 18 years.  God has given this brilliant man  the ability to preach, teach, lead and write.  So why did I have several people working overtime to get me his number and insist that I call him?  Because Ed also has ALS; he was diagnosed eleven years ago.  At any point in my ministry, I would have considered it a privilege to meet Pastor Dobson, but now even more so.  Because now Ed and I share something in common that no one else would ever envy….a terminal disease.

So in the midst of planning how to share my news with our church, I carried Ed’s number around for a few days.  It was there in the back of my mind and I found myself wondering if I should call him at all.  What will I say?  What will he say?  Isn’t he too busy to be bothered?

Sitting in my Pontiac Vibe in the parking lot of Parisian, I pushed the numbers and hoped to get his voice mail.  Instead he answered.  His voice was sure and kind.  When I introduced myself and told him of my very new diagnosis, his words soothed my soul…”Patrick, I am so sorry.”  A few more minutes and he said he would be honored to meet me.  Honored?  To meet me?  Assuming it would be after the holidays, he quickly checked his schedule and said that Tuesday would work.  Tuesday…as in less than a week away, Tuesday.  Wow – I hung up feeling relieved and thankful.

Driving up to his condo with three minutes to spare, I wasn’t sure what to expect.  Dena had already asked me if I had specific questions and, always the list maker, was willing to write them down for me.  I didn’t need a list.  I had just a few basic questions.

Ed’s wife, Lorna, greeted us at the door with a smile, like she was happily anticipating our visit.  Ed was in the background, walking slowly toward us.  His thin hand grasped mine in a sort-of handshake.  Within seconds, we knew these were genuine, humble folk. He guided us to the couch and asked me to start with just sharing my story.  As I talked, he was attentive and it was obvious he understood.  The conversation flowed;  no agenda on either part.  He shared some of his story and about his most recent endeavor of his film series.  We watched two of his DVD’s together on his computer, words not necessary for the frankness of the films speak volumes.

The “shock and awe” stage is what Ed said I am in.  His lasted several months.  Eleven years later, he is long past that.  His doctors say he is lucky to have lived so long;  he insists he is blessed. Ed didn’t give me any secrets of magic treatments that have prolonged his life.  He didn’t have ten steps to an easy life with ALS.  In fact, he admitted that reading his Bible and praying still takes great effort sometimes.  However, when he is down, he gives himself a five-minute timeout and just quotes Scripture.  Wise counsel regardless of disease.

An hour and a half with Ed Dobson and I discovered that we are fellow pilgrims on life’s journey; two followers of Christ trying to live out the Gospel; two weak vessels losing strength day by day, acutely aware of the the brevity of our days, wondering why God chose us for this road of suffering.

I found I have a mentor and a friend.

(read more about Ed and preview his films at EdsStory.com)

2 Corinthians 1:3 & 4 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”

Psalm 34:18 “The Lord is close to the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”