Meet My Friends

In my last blog, I shared that my in-laws had to move back into the house my husband and I were renting. Almost two years ago, while our two boys were warming up for a soccer game, my husband and I saw a garage sale across the street that I had to check out – you know what I’m talking about. While there, Rick and I began talking to a husband and his wife. Next thing you know, we’re asked to tour their house next door that they had just built. Not to mention, they began sharing details about their life, faith and the wife even gave me her cell phone number. And in talking with her husband, he mentioned his intention was to rent out their old house.

Fast forwarding, as my husband and I began exploring housing options, my husband asked me a few times to call "the wife". I dragged my feet and thought: they won’t remember us; we’ll find something else; or my husband will forget. Let’s just drive by, I told him, finally. Boy was I wrong! On a normal Tuesday evening, my husband had a car show event at the church. A day or two before he said, ‘Let’s go drive by that house before the event, and see if their home,’ Okay, I said. You’re doing the talking. But they’re going to think were loonies, I thought!

As we arrived, the sun was near spent, and the house was dark. My husband knocked anyway...and with authority! No answer. Second knock. No answer. My husband left so quickly I was left at the door, solo. Then I hear the door open. Gasp! “Hola,” says the husband. (All in Spanish). 'You probably don’t remember me and my husband, as I gesture to Rick. But we came to your garage sale when you finished up building this house and gave us a tour almost two years ago?' Not expecting this, ‘Come on in’ – he gestured with inviting arms – ‘I remember you guys!’ We look at each other and enter. ‘What brings you two to the area?’ Rick then shared about the car show and our search for a place to live. Regrettably, he shared that his second house with two units was rented out.

Well, I guess we’re done here, I thought. But not so! My husband asked how he and his family were doing – specifically one of his sons that had walked away from the faith and church (this was one detail the husband had shared with Rick some two years ago). He indicated things were worse, and his other son was headed in the same direction. Thankfully, we were able to encourage and offer to pray for him and his family.

Not too long after, two other visitors stopped by, and the husband introduced us as his “amigos” or friends – wow, what kindness! Then the second son came home with his girlfriend, and the two visitors left. Putting his son on the spot, the husband gave him a summary of our visit and that we were going to pray for them, and he wanted them to join us. Rick began asking how he was doing spiritually. Immediately, he opened up and began sharing that he’s been struggling but wants to do better. My husband and I were able to encourage him and pray a prayer of re-commitment (getting back on track with his faith in and relationship with God).

Walking out the door, I was speechless and in awe. I get into Rick’s car, look at him and laugh. 'What?' He asked. I responded, 'We came here to look for a place to live, and God brought us here, of all people, places and times, to encourage this family – what an honor to be used in that way!'

‘God causes all things to work together for good,’ (Romans 8:28). While my husband and I were looking for a house to live in, God was using us to point a father, son and family to himself – the eternal, all-loving, patient and good father, able to make all things new again. Do you relate to the husband, son or nomads? Regardless, "the answer" is the same for all three. As we seek God, he directs our path, heals our hurt and makes us complete. Apart from him we can do and are nothing (John 15:5).