Have you ever known someone that has been terminally ill since birth?  Recently a friend of mine, Jimmy Dempsey, passed away at the age of 23!  Ever since I heard about his death I can’t get him off my mind.  I still remember the first time I met him.   I met Jimmy when we started going to Poplar Ridge Church several years ago.    I guess the old saying “first impressions are everything” is true!   We were playing an after church basketball game, the kind that gets pretty intense, and there was this kid (Jimmy) who kept knocking the bottom out of some three pointers.  A few days later I was talking to my cousin and she was telling me that Jimmy wasn’t a kid but was getting ready to be in college.  She went on to tell me that he has been sick since birth with Cystic Fibrosis.  I didn’t know a whole lot about his disease but I knew this was one tough young man. 

Over the next few years I got to know Jimmy a little better, I wouldn’t say we were pals or anything but I seen him regularly at church and he played softball with us from time to time.  The reason it was from time to time is because Jimmy was in and out of the hospital quite often.  The thing I admired the most was I never heard him complain!

I remember talking again with my cousin about Jimmy.  She proceeded to tell me about a decision Jimmy had made when he went off to college.  My cousin is married to the youth minister at Poplar Ridge who is better known in my household as Uncle Brad.  Youth ministers’ are always short handed and understaffed and are always looking for volunteers to help with the youth.  She told me about how Jimmy was going to pledge for a fraternity while he was in college.  I know what you are saying, that seems normal for a young man to do but here is where Jimmy’s character shines strong.  She proceeded to tell me that one night Jimmy came over to talk to them.  Evidently Jimmy had been dealing with some issues that most young Christian people deal with. That night Jimmy informed them that Instead of joining a fraternity he wanted to become a Youth Sponsor at Poplar Ridge and commit his time to helping the youth group. 

After she shared her story all I could think about was what an awesome young man!  Most people, including myself at that age, have other priorities.  I wondered if I would have been in his shoes if I would have had that kind of relationship with God.  Here was a young man that had a terminal illness and knew he wasn’t going to live a long life, dedicating himself to God!  Jimmy could have been very bitter towards God and life in general instead he decided to take the life God gave him and use it to the fullest.

I have several regrets when it comes to Jimmy.  My first regret was never going and visiting him in the hospital.  Ever since my Dad’s battle with cancer it has been hard for me to go to the hospital but that is no excuse.  Looking back I can’t believe I was so shallow as to let a fear get in the way of showing someone you care about them.  My second regret was not ever telling Jimmy how much I admired his courage and his faith!  Jimmy Dempsey touched many people’s lives and he was an encouragement to all that came to know him. 

Jimmy had no idea I admired him as much as I did.  I’m almost certain that everyone out there knows someone like Jimmy so my advice to you is there is no time like the present to let someone know how they have inspired you.  On the flip side of things I have realized that you don’t ever know who is watching.  Just as I was watching Jimmy someone could have been as easily watching me handle adversity in my life.  Granted I have never endured anything like Jimmy went through but we all have trials.  It is how we handle those trials and tribulations that inspire others and the man upstairs! 

God Bless,

JD