I have been writing this blog for almost a year now. Most every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, I have sat in front of my notebook praying that I could find the words to express what God has done in my life. Hoping it would encourage others.
I love to write. When I was young I had every intention of becoming a journalist. An investigative journalist to be exact. At the time there were still newspapers that we read every day and I wanted to have my by-line on the front page of one of them. But life has a way of interrupting plans. By the time I was nineteen I was married, and, in another year, I had a son.
So, I decided I would work construction for maybe a year or so. You know, make some big bucks. Then I would go back to school and get my degree. While that dream lasted I would still write and journal every day, keeping my skills honed. I was sure it would not be long; the Chicago Sun Times would be calling. It did not happen.
One year of Ironwork turned into another. Soon the journals were put away and so was my writer’s dream. And before long the kid who dreamed was gone too. First marriage ending in divorce and a growing problem with addictions washed away whatever remained. Life the dream crusher!
Almost forty-three years go by without writing a word that is not in seldom sent letters or cards. Then in 2016 a lady from Georgia sent me a Facebook friend request. Within a short period of time we were sending ‘Instant Messages’ back and forth daily, then several times a day. Over the next few months writing became our means of communicating. The skill and love I thought was long dead began to return. But this time it was different.
I was no longer that boy who dreamed of breaking the story that would be plastered on every front page, now I wanted to write words that would allow this woman to know who I was now and who I was before. I wanted her to know more than anything what God had done in my life.
So, I wrote. Every morning I would pray and then start. I told her everything. Cancer, addictions, the abandonment of my son and the death of my wife. Such hard things to write to someone you are trying to impress. But as I said this time it was different, this time I wrote with the Holy Spirit as my guide and He is a tough taskmaster. No sugar coating would be His direction, tell her the truth and let Me do the work in both of your hearts. I must admit it was hard for a guy who loves to tell stories not to embellish but in time I saw God’s wisdom is always true and amazing!
Some mornings there would be a scripture I was led to and I would share it. It would be so cool because the Holy Spirit would help me to write the things about the scripture which would be helpful not just for me but for her too. And she would do the same thing. Because if I did not tell you this lady, among her many talents, is an amazing writer. So, for months we never spoke a word. We let the written word convict our hearts about each other. And I guess you know it did. RuthAnn and I were married on December 29, 2016.
Those months of sharing rekindled my passion for writing. Older and wiser than the young man who walked away so many years ago. I now seek to use the gift God gave me to share the testimony of His miracles in my life. I love the story of the demon possessed man and, of course, I relate. But it is what Jesus tells him as they are parting that I think of often when I am writing. This man who has been saved from a legion of demons so wants to go with Jesus. But He tells him this, “But Jesus said, ‘No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been.” (Mark 5:19) That is what I want to do every time I sit at this keyboard and write this blog.
So, I am a writer again. Along with the blog RuthAnn has encouraged me to write some of the humorous stories that she has heard me tell. I am endeavoring to do so. But it is this blog that holds my heart more than anything. Through the miracle of the internet three times a week I have been allowed to do what that man, now free of his demons did, “And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled.” (Mark 5:20) I get to proclaim Jesus and His saving power. I pray some of you may marvel at what God can do!
P.S. I want to thank you all for your heart felt comments after my last blog. Your prayers and love for RuthAnn and me are a huge encouragement. God is good, all the time. And all the time, God is good!
Blessings and Happy Monday, John
4/9/18
Amen John….thank you for allowing the Lord to get you in a mighty way .