Work Play Think

Over seven years ago, Ann and I loaded all of our earthly belongings into the back of a tractor trailer that was headed for California. We literally smashed everything in there to make sure we didn’t use more  than 10 feet of space or else we would be charged for taking up more  room. We didn’t have a job, a place to live or any clue as to what it takes to live in what was once the world’s fifth largest economy.

As naive as we may have been, it wasn’t a decision we made lightly. We counted the cost. And as hard as it was to leave our moms and dad, brothers, sisters, nephews and a church family we had grown to love and had served with for five years, nothing can prepare you for that day in the future when you tuck your daughter in at night, pray for her and still realize something isn’t quite right. ‘What’s the matter, sweetheart? You know how much we love you.’ And with a sudden burst of tears jumping from her eyes she chokes out,  ’I…miss…my…sniff  sniff…grandma and grandpa…wahhhh…’ ‘I know, darling, I know. I do too.’

The only thing we knew when we left was we were certain God had called us to pack up our things and go. And, like Abraham being sent to a new land, we knew if we were obedient our faith would be credited to us as righteousness. Little did we know that, like Abraham, we would literally have to stay in tents (or garages or small hotel rooms or take short house sitting gigs for a time) We arrived and things got hard. Then, after awhile, they got a little harder. And, finally, after that, they became some of the hardest times I’ve had to lead my family through. But, you know what, God is faithful to us. In Christ,  we found the strength to persevere. He revealed his heart to us and we are experiencing God as love, as provision, as healer, as comfort, and as protector.

Slowly, putting one foot in front of the other, things started getting easier. Trusting God started feeling natural again and we moved forward. I don’t know if everyone always gets to see the fruit of  their labor and I’m now convinced that nobody gets to see truly how far reaching their efforts submitted to God stretch. But every once and awhile God is gracious enough to give you a taste of the fruit that comes from the seed you’ve been sowing.

Last night, we were given that taste. The leaders of the GenChurch ministry at Church for Life were surprised with an appreciation dinner! The Youth Pastors, Jeff and Cindy, had an idea to bless the volunteers and the youth, young adults, and parents gladly joined in to help. We ate a nice meal while listening to others give testimony after testimony of how we have helped point them to the one that abundantly supplies their needs. It was a tremendous night and at the end we were given thank you letters to take home and read and enjoy.

Thanks to everyone who participated! What a blessing! We love you all and we love our pastors and we love our church!

It will always be hard living apart from family, but because of you we get to experience Jesus’ words…’And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or fathers or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.’