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I answered the phone tonight and on the other end was someone I had never met. But as I glanced at the caller ID, I recognized the name, and knew it was a co-worker of my husband's. Or should I say, former co-worker, since my husband is now officially retired. He asked for Kirk and as I was waiting for my husband to pick up the phone, I casually made small talk and asked him how things were going. Kirk had shared with me that this guy recently made a commitment to follow Christ and what I heard on the other end was evidence of this new commitment. This guy was overflowing with joy. He was joyous about finding the love of Christ and joyous that Christ would seek after him, even though he spent 52 years living life on the wild side. As he was expressing all this and more, he told me something that brought tears to my eyes. Rich shared with me that it was my husband who planted seeds in his heart for years. Once again my husband was a tool used by God to help usher someone into the Kingdom of God.

Each time I hear about someone being able to grasp the greatest thing on earth…a personal and intimate relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I am in awe. This phone call not only reminded me of this, but it also served as another reminder to me. Even though at this point of our lives our future is very unclear, God is faithful. Regardless of where we are in life, or what is going on in our heads, He is always there. His desire to partner up with us never changes. He is our constant in a constantly changing world.

Kirk always talked about his work as his “mission field”. He was obedient to his calling up to the very last day he worked. Kirk’s obedience and God’s faithfulness was a delight to watch. Now as this chapter ends in our lives, it is God’s faithfulness that we must depend on. I know we will get scared at times, but that is all right. And I know there will be times when we will get discouraged, and that too is all right. But one thing I know for sure. Regardless of how we feel or what we are thinking...God is faithful.

Even though my husband will leave behind this mission field where he has worked for the past 16 years, we are confident that God’s work will continue . That’s what it’s all about. One person tells one person, and that person tells another, and the story gets passed on. That’s how the good news about Jesus has spread for over 2000 years now. Seem too simple? Not to God. For God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 1 Corinthians 1: 27.

Rich has now been called to be an ambassador for Christ at his work. He says he is ready to start where Kirk left off, and he’s pumped just thinking about it. I know Rich’s new life and boldness will definitely make an impact on many lives. And to think it started with just one seed. It makes you want to go out and do some gardening, doesn't it? Happy planting!

I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow.

So neither he who plants, nor he who waters is anything,

but only God, who makes things grow.

1 Corinthians 3:6&7

"The Way" from Kevin Pauley

The First Sin