Three Promises (part 1)

God had given us three promises about our time in South Carolina.  First of all, He would allow this to be a time of healing and growth for us.  Secondly, He said that He would use this time to prepare us financially for our journey.  Thirdly, He said that He would give us opportunities to do in SC what we want to do out west.  Still, we were not eager to move south. Our hearts were set in one direction on the compass…west!  Nevertheless, at the Word of our mighty Captain, and trusting His promises to us, we packed up and prepared to move. 

And it has been sunshine and roses ever since.  Manna has fallen from heaven every day.  And our faces have a heavenly glow from the radiance of God’s glory because we have obeyed him.  Okay, not really.  Not even close.  Just the drive from Michigan to SC almost did us in. From the moment we loaded our four kids up in our 2000 purple Dodge Caravan (my dream vehicle, especially the color), Crystal and I began arguing, and we were still at odds when we pulled into my parents’ driveway.  Have you ever had a seventeen hour argument with your spouse with no break, no reprieve, no way to escape.   It was brutal.  We were fighting, my kids were crying, and the enemy was laughing.

We came to South Carolina with virtually nothing.  All of my worldly goods were in a storage unit in Michigan.  We had a couple of suitcases filled with some clothes, a few books, and some toys for the kids.  We had very little money (a few hundred bucks). I had no job, no home, and no plan.  I tried my hand at a sales job that I absolutely hated, and it proved to be fruitless.   We spent the first six weeks in SC living with my parents because I had no way of providing a home for my family.  I remember a friend of mine complaining because his television was not as big as he would like.  We saw a 54 inch flat screen, and he said to me, “That’s nice.  I only have a 32 inch flat screen.” I responded, “Yeah…I’m homeless.”  He lowered his head and said, “Okay, you win.”

I felt as though God was stripping me of everything, and leaving me with nothing.  I counseled with a pastor friend, who basically told me that I was going through a mid-life crisis a few years early.  Thanks for the encouragement!!!  When the horse breaks his leg, just shoot him.

I think the hardest part was that Crystal was at the same low point, lower even.  Crystal is my best friend and most faithful companion.  She lifts me up when I am down, and I try to do the same for her.  But we were both so drained emotionally that we had nothing to give each other.  We felt so alone. My kids would cry daily, asking us if we could move back home. It ripped my heart out.

Now, for the record, not every moment was bad, and we did not spend every waking moment wallowing in self pity.  In fact, the main highlight of the early days in SC was reconnecting with some dear friends.  God, in his loving kindness surrounded us with some great people, and used them to lift us up.  Our journey felt somewhat like Frodo’s quest to Mordor, and God surrounded us with a “fellowship” to help us carry the ring. (If I just lost you, this is a reference to “The Lord of the Rings”)  I will mention many of them in another post, but for now, just let me say that God used them to carry us when we could not pick ourselves up, and we are eternally grateful.

  What I did not realize at the time, but what I am beginning to understand, is that God was fulfilling one of his promises-to grow us.  You see, He had orchestrated this move, not for our hurt, but for our good. He was strengthening us for what lies ahead. You see, when you set out to accomplish your God given purpose, when you come alive, you will be opposed.  All of the fury of the enemy will be unleashed on you.  Why?  Because he fears who you are.  A Child of the King, a Prince or Princess of the kingdom, a valuable Warrior in this crusade.  And the enemy fears what God will do in you and through you when you choose to forsake all else and play your role in this magnificent story that God is writing.  Because when you do, people will see Christ, come to know Him, follow Him, glorify Him.  And every time that happens, the enemy loses again.

Oh yes, my brothers, you will be opposed.  The battle is not for the weak, the frail of heart.  So our mighty Captain prepares us for the mission for which we are called.  It is not torment, it is not judgment; it is His gracious loving kindness working in our hearts so that we can step onto the battlefield with confidence and courage, so that we can raise our swords high and proclaim, “Victory is ours through the power of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.   James 1:2-4