7/31/2017

I had just jumped in the shower with an urgency to get ready for the evening's commitment even though it was five hours away. At that exact moment, my daughter knocked on the bathroom door announcing "the man is here to do the work!" "Are you kidding me, I exclaimed. They always call before coming. I wrapped my head in a towel as I threw clothes on and as I stepped into the family room/kitchen and said "hi," ready to ask why he hadn't called my face exploded with joy to see his smiling face and excitement. Caleb said, "I decided not to call you as I wanted to surprise you!" I went over and embraced him welcoming him back as it had been 8 or 9 months since last seeing him. He began to share all about his life, the months he had to miss work due to surgery, the impact that had had on their family and finances as his company did not pay him during that time nor did his insurance pay for the surgery. He was concerned about his wife struggles, the signs of depression and seeking answers. When he spoke of his daughters, his eyes danced as he reflected on his time with them when he walks in the door at the end of the day. I sat with him and listened attentively.

He brought up the last time he had been in our home how much it had meant to him that I had prayed with him and given him a devotional. He hadn't read it but said his wife does now almost daily. 
As he continued to pour out his heart, he said, "I have to tell you something I go into hundreds of houses and this one is different than all the others I have entered."
"How so?" 
Caleb said, "I feel completely at peace and safe here and can talk about things that cause anxiety for me."
Me: "What things are those?" 
He responded, "About spiritual things and death. Usually, I can't breathe and have a difficult time functioning with those topics but it so easy for me to talk here." 
Me: "Do you know why you are at peace and ease here?" 
He said, "Not really."
Me: "Well this is the Lord's house, He lives in each one of us here and was invited into every room of this house. When we built this house, we placed scripture verses on boards that frame our home.   Our prayer is for all who come in to find a deep rest and peace in Him so much, so they don't want to leave if they do not know Him." 
"That explains it! I have never been in another home like it," he stated.

As Caleb continued to share the intimacies of his life I heard the longings of an empty soul.

Me:"Caleb, you know God loves you and is drawing you unto Himself! He brought you here today for refreshing. Tell me about your relationship with him."
Caleb: "I have thought about it but don't know how to describe it. Many nights I lay in bed worrying and praying for my wife, kids and myself. When I pray, I get a pain in my heart, and I never hear God respond." 
Me: "Tell me when the pain in your heart started."
Caleb: When I was in my late teen years, a friend and I were street racing. We came upon two other drivers, and my friend went over on the median to go by one of the cars, and I went in a different direction, and I knew I wasn't  going to make it as I looked ahead. I called out to God took my hands off the wheel and shut my eyes. It seemed like forever, but when I opened my eyes, I was headed straight and had averted death. I knew it was God who saved me and so did my friend."

I inquired, "what happened between you and God after that?"
Caleb: "Well, I knew He had saved me but nothing else really. Since that day when I think, talk, or pray to Him I get anxious and the pain in my heart returns. ( As he is telling me he has put is finger up on the exact place he feels the pain in his heart )Especially when I think about death and I think about it at some point every day, so I try not be alone."
Me:"What is causing the stress over death? We are all going to die and have an expiration date. What is the struggle?" 
Caleb: " I'm not sure. I just can't talk about death as it makes me overwhelmed. I have never had this long of a conversation about this with anyone, and surprisingly I am still able to breathe and talk. When Y2K was coming I was distressing over all the details of the world coming to an end, and my grandmother said, "well you don't have to worry you'll go to heaven because you were  baptized." "I never felt assured of that though."
Me: "Just because you were baptized does not mean you are going to heaven. Have you ever surrendered your life over to the Lord? Having a relationship with Jesus Christ gives a lasting peace to our souls. God longs for and desires a personal relationship with us through His Son Jesus Christ who comes into our lives as Savior and Lord. It is important to yield your life to Him in every area. That pain in your heart is a reminder of the hole that He created to be filled exclusively by Him. He is the only one that quenches our longing."
Caleb: "I don't know what that looks like." How does one surrender?"
Me: " Have you ever invited Jesus to come and reside in your heart?"
Caleb: "No, how do you do that?"
Me: " I will pray and your will repeat those words asking Jesus into your life?  Would you like to ask Jesus to come into your life and have a personal on going relationship with Him?"
Caleb: "YES, I would!"
 We joined hands, and he repeated the words I prayed. 
Afterward, he sat back in the chair, smiled and exclaimed,"I feel warmth in my heart and that pain is gone!" 

All of my family had been in and out contributing in some way, shape, and form to the content of the conversations throughout the day as he shared information and asked them questions as well. So each of them were overjoyed and welcomed him to the family. 
Before leaving, I asked my husband to join me to celebrate Caleb's BIRTHday in Christ! We laid hands on him as we prayed for him, his family, his faith and his future as he grows in the wisdom and knowledge of the Lord.

I am thankful God is in charge of every detail and that it is in the mundane He does  the marvelous in His people. We just need to be willing vessels wherever we are allowing others to see the beautiful grace of God in our very flawed lives.

If you do not know the Lord and want to know Him, you too can invite him into your life by saying the following:

Father, I know I have lived my life unto myself, and my choices of sin have separated me from you. I ask for your forgiveness and thank you for the blood that Jesus shed for my sins and overcoming death so I could have life abundantly. Jesus come into my life as Savior and Lord to reside and teach me your ways. In Jesus name.

And if you already know the Lord but find yourself complaining about the mundane, ask Him to help you be filled with joy and be a willing vessel.