The Doors God Leads You Through

And to the angel of the church of Philadephia write, "These things says he who is holy, He who is, He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts and shuts and no one opens." ' I know your works. See I have set before you an open door and no one can shut it: for you have a little strength, kept My word and have not denied My name."

Revelation 3: 7-8

It's not every day peoples lives change forever. Most days our lives stay the same. We walk through the same doors day after day and nothing ever changes. It makes me think of the story of Joseph in Genesis beginning in chapter 37. He was a boy who was somewhat cocky and arrogant and he was his daddies (Jacob) favorite kid. Started bragging about his dreams around the when they were gathered together. Naturally his brothers were extremely jealous of him and his attitude poured gas on the fire. So to shorten the story in fit of jealously they sold there brother into slavery and lied to there father to cover it up. He ends up in Egypt and bought by Potiphar pharaohs captain of the guard. With God watching his back Joseph excels at everything he does and ends being in charge of all the servants in the house. Naturally Potiphar's wife is totally infatuated with him and tries repeatedly to seduce him but he constantly says no and flees. Well the last time she gets his cloak as he runs away from her she lies about him trying rape he. He gets sent to prison for a crime he didn't commit.

While in prison he meets the pharaohs butler and chief baker and interprets the dreams of these men. He told the butler he would be restored to his former position in three days. The baker was all excited and spilled out his dream and Joseph told him he would be executed in 3 days. The butler was told by Joseph to remember him when he was restored to his position but the butler suffered from amnesia. Joseph spent another two years in prison and eventually ended working for Pharaoh and was governor of Egypt because he eventually was remembered by the butler when Pharaoh had dreams that terrified him and needed someone to interpret them for him. Now you're wondering why I am writing this today....

There comes a time in life when God says it's time to close the chapter on one area of life and move forward into another. Not many people can they are still working the same job they were when they entered the work force but I can. Since I was 18 years old I walked into a job arranged by my high school welding shop teacher. Didn't know what to do there but do what the guys I was working with told me to. As I grew and learned the job I became top notch welder by my work ethic and my willingness to do whatever is necessary to complete the tasks I was given. My work effort set me apart from the pack and earn a group leader spot after six years. Well after about 6 years and 11 months as a group leader I accused by another associate of discrimination because the person was female. Everyone knew it was joke but it was he said she said situation. Kind of like Joseph I ended up in trouble because of someone who lied on them. I stayed at my current job for another two years despite my demotion, put my best foot forward, and proved myself above reproach. Several other things happened in those two years that wasn't right but I stayed and remained until God started speaking to me through my wonderful bride. She nudged at me to try get my CDL. Well I had the books and I started studying. Between the books and free phone apps I passed all the test and the physical to land to get my CDL learners permit. I started filling out applications on Indeed. Out of 6 applications I received a phone call from one company for a phone interview. In 10 minutes of a phone interview the company I was offered a job and the person interviewing me said he has no reservations about giving me an opportunity. I am not a prophet but I do see the similarities between Joseph's story and mine. I believe that God has great things in store for me. After reading Coca-Cola's mission statement the day after turning in my resignation. It says Our Purpose is to honor God in all we do, to serve others, to pursue excellence, and grow profitably. To me that was God saying follow me and I will take you where I want you to go. God's closing one door and a major chapter of my life and opening another door where God opened it and all I have to do is walk through and work like His word says I should and He will take care of the rest. To quote Dr. Charles Stanley, Obey God and leave all of the consequences to Him." I pray that God clearly opens doors in your life as clearly as He opens them in mine. God Bless.

Lessons In Love and Sacrifice

 John 15:13-16

"13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you." 

    It's not everyday you meet a hero. Sometimes you wake up and wonder what it's like. For those who call themselves Christians our hero is Jesus Christ. I will say that it's not everyday you take the time to stop and remember what it's like to really think about what it's like to have a hero that loves you so completely and unconditionally. Sometimes on this earth you have the privilege of meeting your childhood hero's but for some reason the real hero's get overlooked. It's not normal for people to sacrifice everything of themselves for others. Since this world health crisis began we have heard nothing but praise and glory for healthcare hero's from every news outlet or politician. I must say that everyone isn't as fortunate as me.

    Pretty much for a solid year the woman I have many pet names for ranging from Mama Bear to My Wonderful Bride has found the faith and courage to go into the fire call the Covid-19 Intensive Care Unit knowing that Jesus may call a patient in her care home. It takes a special kind of person to throw their heart and soul into their work when it seems like it's a no win situation. I have watched how she has sacrificed of herself to try to save those whom she doesn't know. Only a person that God has a hold on their heart can throw themselves into losing situation and continue to fight. I know that people say who that's admirable and I definitely will not disagree. There has been times I've had the pleasure of being the shoulder she's cried on, the ear to vent to, and the man to love her troubles away. I know that's what a husband is supposed to do but I can't take credit for loving her because as humans we can never love our spouses correctly unless Jesus has first put His love in us to understand and know what true love is. You have to know our story to understand why I am writing this.

    Our relationship began six years ago in October of 2015. We had been dating less than a month when catastrophe struck for my wife(girlfriend at the time); her hot water quit working. She called me crying and all upset and I asked if it was gas or electric. Well I told her that I would get the parts and fix it. Needless to say she doubted my handyman abilities at the time but once it was fixed and working she was very much impressed and surprised. I guess you can say I had the opportunity to "save" her. My humorous term is her knight with a shiny belt buckle. I noticed that this woman threw herself at me even though we hadn't been together that long and really pour out the love she had in her heart for me and I didn't know what to think because it wasn't what I was used to. She was so loving and so giving I felt undeserving and inadequate because I'm nothing special. What I loved about her then and now is that she might not be a theologian or Biblical scholar but she can love someone according to the scriptures better than I can and God granted me the opportunity to stand behind the sacred desk many Sundays in my life. The way she loves is amazing. Chris Young's song "Who I Am With You" speaks volumes to me because it came out right after we started dating and has been our song ever since. She shows me everyday how to be a better man because I get to be with her and be enveloped in her love. When I met her I thought I was getting a damsel in distress who needed a man to save her and sweep her off feet. As it turns she ended up saving me. She has constantly sacrificed of herself since before we ever said I do. 

    Since the beginning of this health crisis she has been given numerous accommodations for her willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty at work. I wasn't surprised that my respiratory therapist did. She has been that way since our first date. Things got even harder for her since December 2020. I found out I had a torn rotator tendon and bone spur on the tip of my collarbone and I had to have surgery and put me out of work for awhile. What does she do? What you would expect from a sweet Godly woman; she willingly started picking up extra shifts to make up the difference. The weekend of Valentine's Day this year she got me my favorite cut of meat to make BBQ out of. She ordered a whole beef brisket for me. Of course that weekend we had back to back ice storms which knocked out our electricity for 24 hours. She posts something on Facebook about me staying up most of the night to keep a fire in the fireplace going and what real love is. The funny this she's the one who showed me first. 

    

    Those who are reading this may wonder why I chose to take the time write this. To me it's simple. First my wife deserves praise for being the wonderful woman she is. The second is to take a minute to share what Jesus can do in and through a person that loves Him. You can save lives. Sometimes they might be in the hospital or they might be person you say I do too. Allison you are a not only a healthcare hero you're my hero, my lover, my confidant, my wonderful bride, and my best friend. Sweetheart just know that you are loved, cherished, and admired by those you live with at home.

    For those of you who have someone who loves you and treats you like my darling wife treats me and her children make sure you don't them for granted. It's rare to find someone who empties themselves willingly for others. Jesus did it for all of mankind on the cross and my wife does it daily for her family. I hope this touches your hearts in some way. May God bless you. I know that He has me.