Stuart
For many years, we drove from Grand Rapids to Bellingham, MA to celebrate Thanksgiving with my wife’s two brothers. We would leave early in the morning and arrive for dinner on the same day. As one travels eastbound on I-90, coming from the south, I-84 merges just outside of Worchester. Traffic is moving at 90mph, bumper to bumper. I marvel at the fact that we survived every one of these trips without an accident. God’s hand in play.
SAY TO GOD: “HALLOWED BE YOUR NAME!”
Parents who have children struggling with substance issues (which is really behavior change, one of the hardest things to do as a human) face three options for their child: recovery into the fullness of life, institutionalization, or death. The last two are not options for me. Many parents prayed for their child to die because the pain is unbearable. I learned with my own children, if I love and hug long enough, we can get through struggle. When I helped reunite a fully recovered child with a mother, I knew inside God and I were walking together.
SAY TO GOD: “MAY YOUR WILL BE DONE!”
I had been called to the bank’s headquarters. They were about to put a significant business loan into default. I had the option of a public display - including bankruptcy and displacement of lives. Or I could opt for a more private approach to satisfy the bank. As I rode in the back of the SUV, asking God for guidance, Jesus appeared at the end of a cliff. He told me to take his hand, have courage, and we would walk off the end of this cliff together. And we did.
SAY TO GOD: “GIVE US TODAY OUR DAILY BREAD!”
Working with the homeless community provides experiences with brokenness every day. Individuals do not have homelessness on their bucket list. But once individuals fall into this black hole, unless people walk alongside them every day, it is almost impossible to get out. We all want to be contributing members of society. And God wants the very best for all of us. But institutions often get in the way and lack empathy. If you believe in the Greatest Commandment, and love and hug people long enough, anything is possible.
SAY TO GOD: “DELIVER US FROM EVIL!”