A Year Ago Today…

A year ago today, was a much different story in our life. We started the day by learning that Dan was let go from his job for reasons we did not understand. Yet it was also filled with such joy as hours later, we learned that Brenda was pregnant with our two children! Such a roller coaster of events, but we know fully and believe fully, that God knew what was best for us. Hard to understand at times, but God knows best! Here are some of Dan’s thoughts:

Today it has been one year since my time as the Youth Director at my previous church in St. Joseph, Michigan came to an abrupt end.  To be honest I still have not received any answers as to exactly why I was let go.  I have my own suspicions that I have cobbled together from partial information, but they are just that, suspicions.  Even though the past year has been hard, there have been many lessons that I have learned.

 – Silence and secrecy can be far more damaging than being open and honest.
– When interpreting Scripture there is a lot of danger and damage that can result from eisegesis, where one makes the Bible work for their agenda by putting words into it.
– We need to allow God’s Word to speak to us first.
– I have learned the value of having a great relationship with my Senior Pastor’s (thanks Jeff and Steve).
– We may not understand why God takes us down the roads he does, but He alone is sovereign and there is peace to be found in that knowledge.
– When you hold on to anger, it really does make you a bitter person.
– Because of a fear of the unknown, it can seem easier to stay in a bad situation.  However when you do move forward, great things await.
– A degree will make you a Reverend, but what you do will make you a Pastor.
– Obedience to God’s leading comes with a price.
– God is good and gracious
– A listening and sympathetic ear goes a lot further than a critical ear.
– When in a valley, there is always another side to climb back up.
– The love of friends and family is not something to take for granted.
– A year ago I wondered how I would ever be able to fall in love with another group of kids.  Though I will always have a lot of love for the kids that we left back in St. Joe, I have learned that it actually comes naturally.  It’s in my DNA.
– The fishing in Minnesota is amazing…

A year ago today, I would have never guessed that Kristin and I would be living in Minnesota today.  One year seems like such a long time, but I think that is because so much has happened since then.  This is not a year that I would like to re-live, but at the same time I am so thankful for the journey that God has brought Kristin and I on, and for the journey that He will continue to lead us on here in Minnesota.

It is crazy to think that our life is SO different from what it was a year ago. It does bring some sadness as the emotions of those events can replay in our minds over and over. But like Dan said, God is good and gracious. That is exactly how we have felt everyday since. Even through being overwhelmed with tears and frustration, God was always and continue to work for the good. What a blessing and humbling feeling it is to be part of God’s perfect plan. And what a blessing and humbling feeling it is to be part of a family out here. Our heavenly Father has been so good to us and He continues to pour out blessings on us. Forever grateful.