His Broken Jars

(Rick)

With only a half hour it’s impossible for us to share fully the kindness and compassion God has revealed to us through the valleys and the Mountaintops…We have learned that life can sometimes be a tough school…in the school of life you get the test first and the lesson afterwards.” And many times it requires “waiting on the Lord so your strength can be restored”

There have been many many times in our life that Kari and I didn’t know what God was doing, or was going to do. Would Ricky survive after his divorce? Would we get the call that Tyler ad been killed or wounded and after he came home, we expected the call that he had overdosed and died. When both our teenage daughters told us they were pregnant in 2007, our youngest being 15 I remember for the only time in my life laying on the floor with grief so encompassing all I could do is wail…we had dreams for our children, and it seemed the “white picket fence, house and family” were shattered. I remember offering to resign from my position as lead minister. Kari and I had always tried to love our kids, teach them about Jesus and surround them with church, youth group, vbs, and camp…we disciplined, supported and encouraged….but we were broken…we could not see how God could bring joy from brokenness…but he did…16 years later my son is married to our beautiful daughter in law Becca, Tyler has a beautiful family and He is a worship minister, Cyndi and Karissa have seen the loving restoration through older single Mom’s who poured out grace into their lives…their history has become HIS STORY

Let me end with this story…I had a leader at another church named Dan…. during this year he often would make remarks about “things like this don’t happen in godly home.” He judged Kari and I Hard, his wife as well.” I remember hurting so bad it was hard to get up in the morning. Kari and I knew the truth about how we’d loved and cared for our children and the foundation we’d tried to build in their lives. We were a long way from perfect but our love for each other, Jesus and our family was real. It’s hard to grieve when you are trying to prove you didn’t deserve it. A little like Lot to his three friends and wife. I have to tell you there was no other time in my life I leaned upon Jesus as much and no other time He proved His power in my weakness. I always loved Romans chapter 8, especially verse 28…

”And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.”

I just couldn’t see that far down the path…I couldn’t see the flowers and fruit around the bend…but God could…a few years later, after God used many of these circumstances for my children, grandchildren, and others for help and healing…Dan called me out of the blue and asked to have dinner…we weren’t close but I agreed. As soon as I sat down he started crying…..hard tears…and he said, “I was arrogant, proud and legalistic…I said “this doesn’t happen in godly homes with a critical heart.” “I need to tell you…my youngest daughter is pregnant and I’m broken.” We prayed and talked about the brokenness and pain, but I told Dan….” I wouldn’t trade the intimacy I have with Jesus through that for a million dollars, Dan, trust Him Trust Jesus my brother…He pours His grace out of broken jars!!!”