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Forty-two years ago, I met Paul Dennis
Poole by the tabernacle at Living
Waters Camp in Cherry Tree, PA. He
remembered me as being feisty. I
remember him as being incredibly cute and full
of opinions. Two years later, we were married!
Since we were each the youngest child
in our respective families, we were both
accustomed to being the entertainer, the
one being spoiled, the one that everyone
thought was “cute.” That could be a terrible
mix – two babies each seeking the same
thing. But it turned out to be an incredible
life. We spoiled each other entertained each
other, and made the other laugh!
Paul was an encourager. When I complained
about my failures, he showed me what I
did accomplish. He believed in me…and
so many others. He often spent time with
young ministers trying to help them see the
potential that God saw in them. He was so
good at that!
Paul loved to brag on his family. There was
never a soccer player like Nick. No one
could run like Natasha. The most brilliant
grandson ever is Zack. The feistiest, cutest
granddaughter is Evelyn. And Lukas already
has shown that he is far ahead of all other
children ever born!
GOD IS GOOD
Paul taught me to look for the good in
others; look for the good in each situation.
Learn to find (search for, dig for) the good. It
is there if you look. Even in the most difficult
times, there is good.
But more importantly, look for God in every
situation. He is there. And He is always,
always good.
“This poor man called, and the Lord
heard him; he saved him out of all
his troubles… Taste and see that the
Lord is good.” Psalm 34:6, 8
When I received that call on May 22 that
Paul had taken a “tumble,” I had no idea
of the challenges that would follow. As his
head was being cradled by a co-worker,
he looked up and said, “You know, Dave,
God is good! God is still good!” Yes, these
six months had been very challenging. The
brace, the sleepless nights, the difficulties
associated with a life-threatening injury. And
through it all – God has been good!
On November 2 when we first heard the
words, “you have lymphoma”, my breath
was taken away. We were shaken to our
core with questions, decisions and out-ofcontrol
outcomes. I felt as though I was on a
crazy roller coaster ride… with no tracks but
lots of ice.
GIRLS MINISTRIES Sharon Poole | sharonp@pdgirlsministries.com | penndel.org/girls
The week before Thanksgiving, the doctors
explained to us the seemingly hopeless
situation; they were unable to do anything
more to prolong Paul’s life. I floundered for
something. Anything that would bring me
comfort; anything that would bring me hope
or anything that would make sense of this.
After all tubes and life support had been
removed from Paul, I walked into his cubicle
to the most amazing sight. For the first time
in three weeks, my Paul was looking at me
with a smile, filled with joy and peace. He
knew he was going home. He had complete
peace. There was no fear. There was the
blessed hope that he would soon be where
he had lived his life to be.
Over the next day and a half, there was no
wavering in his faith. He continued to look
at me with loving eyes. He continued to give
me that “I love you wink.” Paul was alert,
comfortable and at peace. And he knew,
more than any of us that God is good. No
matter what. God is good.
Today, as I write this, like Paul, I know that
God is not afraid of my questions. He sees
my brokenness and knows my weariness.
And so, I hold on to what Paul has taught
me. “God is good!”