What else could he
really say? It was 1990, and Dennis Jernigan was a 31-year old Oklahoman (see
his home state’s seal here) who evidently was still basking in the glow of his
redeemed life; it was in this spirit that he said “Thank You, Lord”. Would he
have been capable of detailing more of why he felt so appreciative? Certainly, because
there were plenty of reasons, perhaps more than most people might have had, for
the gratitude Dennis felt. The depression’s depth that he’d lived was perhaps
matched in its extremity only by the opposite height that he’d reached. And,
maybe since so many people had heard about his 180-degree turnaround, Dennis
didn’t feel any other words were necessary. That didn’t stop him from saying
the words over and over, however. He’s probably still saying them, because the
blessings of his turnaround are indeed living before his eyes.
Dennis Jernigan’s story
has so many ‘thank-you’ points to it, it’s not a wonder that he wrote a song to
repeatedly vocalize those words. In 1990 he was just a year or two on the other
side of totally admitting to others what kind of life he’d been living 10-15
years earlier. Take a look at what he’s written in his testimony on his official
website, and you’ll read an amazing, unique story. As you read, you might start
counting and find that Dennis, though he struggled with what he considered a
dark secret – homosexuality – for over a decade, had many thankful moments amid
that time too. He had almost as many thank-you moments then, as he did in the
post-1981 period, according to the story he’s written there. (I counted some 20
specific things that Dennis indicates were parts of his life for which he’s
been thankful.) It’s because he now realizes God was working then, from his
times of learning piano at his grandmother’s home to understanding his father’s
distance from him was actually not so distant after all. He also had lots of
extended family background and a close friend in a faith community that ministered
to him – his grandparents, a church that utilized his musical skills in his
pre-teen years, and a friend who stood by him at the end of his college
experience. Dennis also describes two supernatural episodes that he’s convinced
were God communicating with him to manage his life -- a life-changing concert, and
a cloud-filled sky that helped him face his life. Dennis has such a vivid
memory of his life, probably another of God’s gifts that allows him to see
events now with a new clarity, and with an effervescent gratitude. That’s probably
what compelled him to share openly with his church family, first in 1988 and
multiple times since then, what he went through and how’s he come onto the
other side of it all. It’s still going strong.
After changing his
life, Dennis and his wife Melinda have had a blessed union that has yielded tangible
results not only for themselves, but for those who have heard his story. The
Jernigans have nine children, and one might say their family in the spirit is
immeasurably larger. The churches where he’s shared have hosted people who’re
touched by Dennis’ story, so that they share their own hurts and begin to heal.
His music, over 2,000 songs, allow his story of God’s work in his life to hit
many different chords, and reach an audience that he could never have addressed
without the unique blend he brings. No one is quite like him. But, Dennis
wouldn’t want you and me to think that, and so limit His power. He’d say that I
can admit my hurts, get healed, and live like never before, because of the
truly unique One.
See the following site for the composer’s biographic
information: https://www.dennisjernigan.com/aboutdj
See this
site also: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dennis_Jernigan
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