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Dr. Daryl Merrill Jr. is the Lead Pastor of Christian Life Church and President-Elect of Christian Life College (formerly Chicago Bible College).  I met Daryl over 15 years ago when I was working in radio and he always has a special place in my heart because of his genuine care that is bigger than himself.  Daryl’s heart is to see people continually grow deeper in their relationship with God.  He and his wife Leslie have been married for almost 30 years and have three sons.  He honestly shares in this episode about what it is like to be a caregiver for aging parents, wondering if He has what it takes, mental health, and taking those never-ending lifelines when offered.

I didn't even realize what I was going through.  And I had so many friends afterwards call me and say, "I had know idea what you were going through. Why didn't you reach out?" But, when your in that moment and this is a good thing, don't beat up your friends that don't reach out to you because they don't even know what they are doing sometimes. And You be the one to reach out. - Dr. Daryl Merril Jr.

It was great to reconnect with Daryl and appreciated how he expressed He felt he didn't have what it takes to be a Pastor.  Most of us have had that moment of wondering do I have what it takes and desperately seeking after God along that road. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did and are encouraged to know God knows you have what it takes.

Our Conversation Points:

• Aging Parents and Caregiving through Dementia and Alzheimer's
• Growing up as a Pastor's Kid in the '70s
• Mental Health that unknowingly gripped him
• His time on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and what it taught him
• What has Daryl been learning about chasing after God

Reflection Questions:

1. Finish this statement for yourself: I didn't think I had what it takes to be a _________. What is that for you or how you have felt in the past?  
2. How can you take that challenge, worry, and fear to God right now in prayer?

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