In honor of Mike Reeves

From Dave's Facebook Page on 28 Feb 2017: Praying for the family of Mike Reeves (Earlene Reeves). Mike finished the race this morning, and went home to be with the Lord after a battle with cancer. I considered Mike a mentor and friend, along with a brother in Christ. When I first started getting the notion of serving in youth ministry almost 17 years ago, Mike was one that showed me the ropes and helped me along. When I had things come up in ministry that I didn't know which way to go on, he was always there to lend a hand , teaching me. When I didn't treat others with enough grace, he'd always be there with a loving rebuke, bringing me back inline. He taught me to sing praises to God, regardless what I thought of my own voice. When we were at youth events, and he said something was a miss, I listened and deferred to his experience and love of God and youth. (I said once to someone that when Mike speaks, we listen.) :)
He even decked me once, by accident. We were playing water polo at Camp Prince's Pine during all teen camp one year. He came up from the water to hit the ball back, and accidentally jammed his palm into my eye socket. The pain was unimaginable. I went to the dock, and sat there for a moment, yelling in pain. He came up to me, hugged me, and said "Dave I'm so sorry. " I told him it was ok, but to leave me alone for a sec so I could see out of my eye again. Once I could, I jumped back into the water, and went back to playing. Had a small "shiner" on my eye socket even.I picked on him about that event for years, and he always turned a pretty shade of red. He took it in stride with a smile on his face.
Mike, I'm not sure if I ever told you this, but I've valued every moment I got to interact with you and your family. You taught me how to be a man of God, even when I screw up royally. You taught me to sing to the Lord, regardless of what others thought of my voice. You taught me to be a leader, and to accept and learn from failures when they occur. You taught me how to forgive others, and forgive myself. When I wanted to give up and walk away, thinking the road was too hard, you encouraged me to keep going and overcome all obstacles.
Most of all , you showed me Jesus, in everything you did and said. I hope that I can live up to the example you showed me, and show Jesus to everyone like you did. I'm a better man, a better minister, and a better follower of Christ for having known you.

​Dave