One Call Can Change Everything

“There is an immeasurable distance between late and too late.” 

―Og Mandino

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One call can change everything.

I was reminded of this on October 9^th when I received a call informing me that my mother had experienced a bad fall and the assessment was, “David, it doesn’t look good.”

That one call changed all my plans.  Suddenly, the important lunch meeting I was in the middle of was quickly ended; my afternoon appointments were cancelled and after quickly throwing a few things in our suitcases, Sonja and I were on the road heading to South Carolina.   

The short of it was that my mother died fourteen days later from the injuries she received from that fall.

Yes, one phone call can change everything.

That reality is a reminder to not hold on to the things of this life too tightly or to not make assumptions that can’t be guaranteed. 

Something else I learned from that call is that there has to be something that does not change when everything else does. 

This was demonstrated to me by my mother through her response to the news that, barring a miracle, her injuries were terminal.  She was silent for just a moment and then she began to talk to God.  She went through a long list of God’s faithfulness throughout her life.  She then began to pray in the Spirit, which eventually led into singing.  Finally, she began to repeat over and over, “My faith still holds, my faith still holds, my faith stills holds…”

I’ll never forget that sacred moment.  My mother looked into the abyss and in her darkest and most desperate moment she found her footing; she had built her life on the Rock (Matthew 7:24-25, Psalm 18:2) and He did not fail her.

So it turns out that one call can change a lot of things, but it doesn’t have to change everything. 

So my dear friend, no matter the challenges you may be facing, the mission has not changed, your faith and focus have not changed and your Lord God – the immutable One (Malachi 3:6) has not changed. 

Therefore, do not grow weary in well-doing for in due season you shall reap.

And one final thing, your kindness to me and my family during this season of bereavement has meant so much.  The benefits we received are beyond my ability to express adequately.

Suffice it to say, from my heart and with deepest appreciation: Thank you.

Blessings,

David L. Kemp

Administrative Bishop | Michigan Church of God