You Never Know

In case you wondered where I've been, my family was privileged to get to spend Thanksgiving in Indiana with my in-laws...our first holiday gathering since the passing of my father-in-law...and an important time together (without internet access!). Obviously, we're back and that limitation has been removed.

As some of you may know, my son has been looking for a job for several months now. While God has been good to provide seasonal & odd jobs, a stable, full-time position has been elusive to date.

The Lord has been far too faithful for us to begin doubting Him now, or worrying about His provision, but honestly, we do find ourselves wondering just what He's up to in this arena. No answers yet, but a possibilty I'd like to share with you...all for a point.

Just over a week ago, I was attending a Community Thanksgiving service with residents from Highland Ridge Senior Living Community (where I chaplain). Seeing some familiar faces across the room, I went to catch up a bit since it had been awhile since we last talked.

Kindly, they asked about my son's situation (among other things), and I shared that I was praying for an opportunity for him at a local, highly-regarded employer, but I just didn't know anyone on "the inside" with whom to connect. As with many jobs (especially in this economy), you about have to know someone on "the inside" in order to get in.

They proceeded to introduce me to a man sitting in the next row from this employer - a man I discovered had been hired by my father years before! He asked about my son, inquired about his resume, and informed me that he had two positions to fill - immediately. My son has since connected with this company and is up for an in-depth interview next week.

Now, the Hollywood ending would have this all work out and we'd all live happily ever after, but you and I both know that it doesn't always go that way. Frankly, we're encouraged by this turn of events, but have no clue as to how it will work out.

What I do know, and have been reminded of, is that God's timing is always perfect, He is always working on our behalf, and you just never know how He is going to provide. Thus, we should never despair, never minimize the power of a "God-moment," and believe that He is always "working all things together for good" - even the seemingly random moments of our lives. I'll keep you posted!

Strength

We were blessed last night to have Mike Gillette of "The Strength Show" join us for an area youth ministry event. Almost 70 teens gathered to hear Mike's testimony and watch him attempt (and pull off) a couple of brand new feats of strength (one scared us to death as he succeeded; the other is still a work in progress but impressive nonetheless).

I'm not sure if Mike actually said this or not, but what the Lord said to me last night through his message was this: As great as strength is, it is not intended to only benefit the one who is strong. Strength can be an amazing thing - moving, bending, stretching and deforming objects that it seemed couldn't be.

Granted, it tends to carry some specific benefits to the one who is strong, but what good would it be for a strong person to just sit around and be strong? Sure, they look good - but there are any number of ways to achieve that appearance without putting in all the work to actually be strong.

Real strength is meant to be shared - to benefit others. Jesus extends His to us, and we are intended to extend ours to those we interact with. When God gave His Son for us, He made available to us all the strength we would ever need. And when we give our lives to others, we do much the same, passing along the strength we cherish and enjoy, that they might never have to face anything with only their own strength.

So what are you doing with your life in this area? Getting stronger, I hope! But even more so, as God continues His good work in you (Philippians 1:6), I pray that you will in turn reach out and be a source of strength, passing His along, to all who may need it. That's a truly strong person!