My Brother, David
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(Jesus) said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
My older brother David is staying with us a few days this week recovering from his cataract surgery last week. David is a neat and special guy. Many of you have met him. If you haven’t, I hope you will get the chance sometime soon. He’s an unforgettable fellow.
Because of a traumatic birth, David has an intellectual disability. He functions well, but at about a third-grade level. He has worked for over 40 years in the Dining Hall at the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega. Even though he does not drive, he owns his own home and maintains his own checking account. He is agile and athletic when it comes to sports like basketball and table tennis (a.k.a. Ping Pong). He can beat me in a game of “Horse” on the basketball court any day and most of us would have a difficult time beating him Ping Pong. He is an avid opera fan and can name just about any opera after hearing only a few bars of music. And not only that, but he can also tell you about the composer, when it was written and probably when and where it was first performed.
David is nearly always upbeat, in good mood, happy, and enjoyable to have around. He is very gregarious, loves being around people, and greets others with a loud “Hello!” I like to say that he improves the mood of everyone in the room when he enters it. David takes life in stride and doesn’t let things get him down. Like a child, he has a refreshing wonderment and positive spirit about him that is contagious.
David has several questions and phrases he likes to use repeatedly. It sort of tickles us to hear him say them, he says them so often. But they are instructive upon reflection. Some of his favorite questions are: “Are you working hard?” “Are you staying out of trouble?” “Are you behaving?” “Is that good or bad?” and “Are you trying to tell me something?”
These questions are worth pondering. His intent is to engage the others around him in conversation about themselves – their life, their job, how things are going. Certainly, I want my work to be a wholehearted endeavor and I always want to do my best. Yes, staying out of trouble and behaving are good things for each of us to do as well. Yes, life sends us some good things, and some are bad. There is a long list of things in each of our lives that we could list as “good.” But there are things we would list as “bad,” too. But maybe we should put more energy, thoughts, and concentration on those things that are good, positive, wholesome, and true. Isn’t this what Paul is saying in Philippians 4 where he says, “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
Some of his favorite phrases are: “That’s the way it is” and “I guess you have to live with it.”
These are not bad statements to reflect on either. David’s philosophy is that we should accept the things we cannot change, move on, and deal with it. Maybe we would all be a little happier if we could be a little more accepting of the things we cannot change.
David has a childlike faith. He accepts matters of faith easily without too much deep analysis. He is immensely faithful to attend Dahlonega Baptist Church (DBC) where he goes to both the early, contemporary service and the regular, more traditional service each Sunday. Usually wearing a “loud” tie with scripture verses printed on it, he hands out bulletins and takes up the offering at his church as well. He joyfully makes everyone feel welcome whether he knows them or not.
His “disability” is not a handicap or a liability at all. In truth, it gives him the “ability” to exhibit a childlike, trusting kind of faith; to accept others and to make them feel special; and to spread joy to everyone he meets.
I have often said, “It would be a better world with more folks like my brother David in it.” It truly would.
I thank God for David and for all the lessons he continues to teach me.
May each of us grow in our childlike faith, joy, love, and acceptance of others.
You are loved!
Mark
R. Mark Green
Pastor to Senior Adults and Youth & Children's Music