Big Yellow Hornets & A Brother Born For Adversity

The Bible says, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a difficult time.”. As a young Christian, when I read that verse, I would normally think of some fight or argument I had had with one of my brothers and think, “You got that one right King Solomon!” I’ve since gained another perspective however, one that is most likely the impetus for King Solomon’s writing the verse. As many of you know, I absolutely enjoy spending time in the outdoors. Whether it’s hunting, fishing, hiking, or simply camping by the lake, there’s something especially tranquil when I can be alone with God in my thoughts without distraction. Among many of my challenges in life, however, I am highly allergic to bee stings. Over this past fall, I had the joy of joining my best friend and a couple of other men for a deer hunting excursion to South Texas. The first morning of the hunt, I climbed a ladder and entered a hunting blind, only to be assaulted by a team of about a dozen hornets. Unfortunately, in my haste to pack for the trip, I overlooked an important item – my “Epi-Pin”, an auto injector of the drug epinephrine. After a fierce melee, the score of my encounter with these assassins from hell was bees -1 sting; Kevin – 12 kills. But the fact that I was ahead on the imaginary scoreboard didn’t stop the bee toxin beginning to course thru my veins. God graciously allowed me to complete the hunt that evening and get back to camp. Just about the time I got there, however, I began to exhibit all the signs of a person who needs immediate professional medical treatment. I can also assure you that there is not an overabundance of emergency rooms or hospitals in Yancey, Texas. But was during this time that began to understand hat it means that a Brother is born for adverity.

My best friend Don quickly arranged for a box of Benadryl to be delivered ASAP to our hunting camp. By the time the medicine arrived, I was already beginning the early stages of “Shock”. I was seeing white stars; the lymph nodes were swelling under my arms; a rash was breaking out on my back, and I was finding it harder to breathe. In haste, I took 4 times the recommended amount of Benedryl and lay down with an ice pack on the back of neck where I had been stung. Shortly, I was sound asleep. My buddy Don was worried about my condition as he knew I was highly allergic. But not being able to get into my room, he was on the phone, looking thru the window, and making sure I hadn’t killed myself in the process of trying to stay alive. I think he must have stayed up most of the night checking on me periodically to make sure I was still breathing. Even when I awoke and was totally delirious and talking out of my head, he stayed right by my side and made sure I was going to be okay… to me, that’s what it means to have a true friend. Some one who thinks more highly of others than they do themselves, and will be there when times are good and when times are bad. Fortunately, the Benedryl did its job and I was fine by morning, but just to have someone there who refused to run away… to have someone I trust and love contact my wife and keep her reassured. To know that no matter what happened, I had a friend right beside me, is a friend who was born to help you and me thru the adversarial conditions we encounter in life. I’m blessed that I can call Don a true friend and confidant…. I love you my brother…. Kevin

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