We've all heard God is always on time and I have found myself in the back of my mind wondering when God is going to work with whatever situation or event is currently going on in my life. It isn't that I question that God will work (although I've found that it is okay to question when we are struggling with our faith...we have to be real and honest with God in order to move forward in our trust with Him). For me, I am not always eagerly looking for the hand of God at work like I should. Usually something just happens and I am blown away because I know it is a "God-thing." What I am learning is I shouldn't be surprised when God works but rather I should anticipate, look, and expect it. The next part of this process is equally important...as I'm waiting, I should not grow frustrated or impatient when events or circumstances don't happen when I think they should. When I see it in "my timing," it is past time for a job to have opened for us. However, there is so much more going on behind the scenes that God is doing in order to make us truly ready for the next step. God is always at work and I have to remember that even in tough times everything works together for the good for those who love Him. While God may be molding a person and allowing them to be tested by fire, it is all part of the plan to prepare that person for the next part of His greater plan for that person's life. We often think that trials in life are supposed to work like that game when you are arm wrestling and someone shouts "uncle" when it becomes too painful and the other person stops inflicting the pain. God isn't about inflicting pain but pain is an inevitable part of life and it is often necessary as we are being transformed to be more like Him. When we shout "uncle", the pain doesn't just stop because it may not be God's timing to provide the so-called "out" from that painful life experience but that doesn't mean that He isn't going to provide encouragement or relief in the midst of the pain. The difference is our idea of "relief" may be different than God's idea.
For us, our life situation is still the same in that we have no money and no job but encouragement and support has always been there and the forms of support are what give me chill-bumps. For those of you that know us well, you know that this journey has been hard but especially on Vince for so many different reasons. I'm not sharing anything with you that Vince is not comfortable with me sharing. In fact, we believe it is important to be transparent so that others can hopefully be encouraged by our situation because we've found that a lot of people are experiencing some of the same things in life but they feel so alone because in Christian circles, people find it hard to be real. During this journey, Vince has persevered but the longer he has gone without a job, the harder it has been and discouragement and depression set in.
Right now Vince is being broken in order to be strengthened and stronger for the next step in this journey. It is a known fact that when a bone is broken it grows back much stronger and that same analogy holds true for Vince. I am confident that the next step in Vince's life is going to be amazing and God is going to use him in great ways. However, the greater the mission, the stronger the individual has to be for that mission. That is where we are now...boot camp. There is a lot of sifting that God needs to do in Vince to strengthen him so that he is ready for that next step and the sifting has been painful and discouraging. What we've found is that in the midst of Vince's pain, God has brought old and new friends in his path at just the times he has needed it. I have shared that he has received e-mails at some of the exact moments when he hits a very low point. He has even had one man approach him and say that God put Vince on his mind and heart and proceeded to tell Vince exactly what God revealed to him about what Vince was feeling and experiencing at that time. That will give you chill bumps when you have thoughts in your head that you never verbalize and someone comes up to you and tells you what God has told them about you and what they tell you is right on the money. It is also just like God to send this man into Vince's life because he had similar experiences and feelings as Vince. Then, God allowed Vince to make a new friend who also had walked in similar shoes as Vince. All of these encounters occurred in God's perfect timing and the encouragement, support, and wisdom Vince received was exactly what he needed at those points. I literally am in awe with how God reveals things to other believer's so they can in turn speak wisdom, truth, and love into another believer's life who needs that exhortation.
The latest event as I mentioned occurred on Wednesday evening. Vince had hit the lowest point to date on Tuesday and the very next day, that same group of people who sent him the U2 concert ticket and album along with the Johnny Cash albums (you can see this post which is titled Vince on April 22nd) sent him another unique set of gifts. This time he received a rare U2 t-shirt that had them on the cover of Rolling Stone from 1991 and the Johnny Cash Gospel collectible edition which is almost impossible to find. In this package was another encouraging letter but instead of it primarily focusing on the impact his life has had on them, it focused on giving him hope in the midst of the darkness and that could not have been more timely. The anonymous group who gave Vince these gifts felt the t-shirt would be nice to have for the concert and they said this about the Cash collectible..."We pray this will be an inspiration to you coming from a man who loved and wrestled with God intensely and openly (like you do) to get to the bottom of things in his journey, and had some very dark times (like you have)- relate, brother and be blessed knowing you're a path-cutter and when God cuts you loose into your next venture, we're convinced it will be something contagious and the church at large will have an authentic servant leader compelled to let that lion out of your cage onto as many people as you can! Right now is just the preparing ground." They went on to take lyrics from some of the U2 songs that were on their newest album that they gave Vince back in April and encouraged him to listen to specific parts when patience is hard, feelings of guilt or fear hit, when you're out of energy and need a fresh start, and when you feel alone or unworthy. What a way to take a gift and help him really focus in on the parts that were meant for encouragement to his specific situation. Truly it could not have been more perfect!
They also went on to encourage him with this line, "God used no prophet in the Bible until they had been to "hell and back" in their own lives at least once. Although it may be a long road now, He WILL use you in landmark ways after all of this and He is using you more than you know even while you're in the muck!"
When Vince unwrapped the Johnny Cash album, he began reading the booklet that was enclosed and it gave both of us chill bumps seeing some of the parallels with feelings and thoughts that both Cash and Vince shared and how God went on to do some awesome things in Cash's life! I have always known how God is into the smallest of details in his children's lives but to see how He prompted and used a group of friends from over 20 years ago to encourage him again in such a specific way that Vince needed at just the time he needed it really puts me in awe!
Hopefully, sharing our story will encourage you wherever you are in your life to know that God cares and loves you and will give you exactly what you need, when you need it. Believe it and may His promises to you bring you peace, comfort, and encouragement!
Vince in his new t-shirt and the rare Cash album...
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