I have been ask to share this story several times lately so I thought I would share it with you.
Several years ago my husband and I started to visit new churches to see if we found something that we were a better fit in. About the 3rd one we tried was Faith Promise. This is my story, God's story about my experience.
At the time the North Knox Faith Promise was in a temporary location at the Expo Building. It's just a few minutes from our home so let's try. I knew this was one of those new, hip churches so I tried to prepare myself for something very different than where I had been for many years.
We show up in the normal attire that was appropriate for our prior church, suit and tie for hubby, and dress and heels for me. I notice right off the bat that we are way, way over dressed. Jeans, tennis shoes, T-shirts, even shorts we more the norm than what we were wearing. Ok, I'm modern. I can do this.
Then the music starts. Or rather the rock concert that I felt like I was in. I love my heavy metal, rock music just like any other Southerner, but this is church. But anyway, we're just visiting here. We don't have to ever come back again.
Then the movie starts. Wait are we on a date night instead of attending Sunday morning service. So I sit with my judgmental arms crossed to watch the featured film.
It's about a prisoner being released after a long sentence and trying to get acclimated back into society. My arms fall. I realize I am holding my breath at this point, and staring at the ceiling fighting of tears. See, my son Evan is serving a very long sentence in prison
I take deep breath as it clip ends and the pastor comes on the screen. Wait, you mean the pastor isn't even here? He's being piped in from some other planet or something, what is it? Then Pastor Chris begins to tell his story of addiction. His story of struggle. His story of redemption. HIS story.
I'm really struggling to breath now. In my head I am saying "we are only visiting. God doesn't speak to you on the first visit". Oh yes He can, and He does! The more I listen to Pastor Chris, I see for the first time the person, that really deep down, I never believed that my son could become. Until today. I've heard of 180 stories from addicted to drugs to addicted to Jesus. But I have never really known someone.
I left there with my heart so twisted. This was amazing! The music, the jeans, the acceptance of all, this is where Evan needs to be. All I could think about was telling him the next time he called about this real life success story. After waiting a few weeks for him to call, I was so excited to tell him about this place that would accept him as he is when he comes home.
So we never left Faith Promise. It almost felt like preparing a place, a home, for your child. Some time later we learned about Faith Promise's God Behind Bars ministry. What a fantastic ministry to the prisoners. But this was not at his location, but how cool.
Fast forward a year or so. After some complications and for some security reasons, my son was moved to a different prison. On the first visit at the new location, my husband, my son and I are sitting there in this cafeteria type room. I notice at the front of the room there is a giant FP. My heart stops. I literally stop breathing, again.
The valleys, stress, heartbreak and turmoil that led up to this move were necessary for God's plan to come together. He is now at the same location where our God Behind Bars ministry is! Praise Jesus!!
You know that moment when it seems like you can physically see God's hand on your shoulder. That was one for me. He was just as excited that he would be able to experience what I had been telling him about for so long. Now each week, I take comfort in knowing he is sharing the same Worship service that I am. God is beginning to mold his heart years before I thought possible all because this blue jean wearin', movie playing, rock-n-roll church loves everybody and so does God!
God Is Good, all the time. Even when we don't understand His plan.
Until Next time- Safe Picking
Tammy
