A Valuable Teacher

A little more than ten years ago, I went through a rather difficult time.  I had noticed a small knot on my neck, went to the doctor, and was diagnosed with having a tumor in one of my salivary glands.  According to what the doctors told me, tumors in this particular salivary glad typically have a 50/50 chance of malignancy.  As if that weren’t enough, doctors also told me of three potential complications from the surgery I needed that would have an impact on my speech.  Suddenly I went from being a busy, healthy person to being forced to acknowledge my own mortality, and to imagine what life would be like without being able to preach.  It was disconcerting to say the least. But during this time of trial, I can say that the adversity had a way of separating the dross from the gold in my life.  Suddenly I…