Three months ago we began to plan a trip to Kentucky. Ten schedules synchronized and a visit to Asbury College finally took place last weekend. I was excited to spend time with family, love on baby Emma and enjoy the fall break for our college age children. As I was packing the car, I did not anticipate the hiccups that lay ahead. Let me explain.
1) The Cleveland gang (Wally, Alex and I) had a late start. Our journey didn't begin until 8:30 pm with 5 and 1/2 hours of driving ahead of us.
2) During the drive, we were attempting to meet a deadline and inadvertently paid tuition money to the wrong college.
3) We suddenly realized that the hotel I had booked added an additional hour to our trip and wasn't close to Austin's college.
Hmmm....suddenly realized that this trip was either not supposed to happen or someone did not want this trip to happen. (I will let you decide after further reading)
We finally arrived at the hotel and threw ourselves on the bed at 2:45 am. Our exhausted spirits allowed for us to overlook the tattered carpet, smoky smell and other unappealing characteristics. Morning came and we excitedly went down for breakfast to greet family and squeeze sweet Emma. You can imagine the look on our faces when instead we saw a sheriff, coroner and crime investigators. When is the last time you met a medical examiner at breakfast? We were informed that someone died in the room next door. Excuse me while I step out of a law and order episode and back to reality. It seemed that a gentleman had overdosed on drugs and his grieving family was mourning him at the hotel. We debated about switching hotels and pushing rewind on this trip. Due to several major events in the area, rooms were scarce, so we decided to stay. The hotel was gracious and upgraded our room and discounted the price.
Pulling ourselves together we headed into town and enjoyed a crisp fall day on this beautiful campus. Things were looking up and stumbling upon a quaint restaurant for lunch was a mood lifter for us all. You know you are in a seminary town when lunch is at "Solomon's Porch" and all of the menu items are theologically named. I had the "Circuit Rider" while others enjoyed the "Calvinist", "Garden of Eden" and the "C.S Lewis"
Fast forward to the best part of the trip.
Every obstacle, late night drive, expense, odor, lack of sleep, crisis was worth it. Every emotion, doubt and fear was Satan's way of trying to stop the finale.
What began as a trip with hiccups and diversions ended as an opportunity to share the Gospel. What began as a trip that seemed destined for failure ended as a trip with a clear purpose.
As a family, we met Sunday morning for breakfast and planned to visit a local church. We discussed our shower schedule and I chose to be last. One by one our group went upstairs and I was left alone finishing my coffee and still processing the visit. I began engaging the hotel clerk in trivial conversation and flippantly commented that it was a shame he would have to work and could not attend church. He replied, "that's okay...I worship on Fridays." Our conversation continued and he explained his religion and I shared mine. His faith was in someone different...mine was in Jesus. We took turns asking questions and a very pleasant and loving dialogue continued. I began to realize that as each moment ticked away, I was suddenly shortening my time to pack and prepare for church. I soon realized that I was cutting it so close that I was looking at a one hour church service and a long car ride unshowered. I didn't care. I was not about to pass an opportunity to speak truth into this precious life.
We talked about heaven and mercy. We talked about the cross and forgiveness. We talked a lot about peace. The demands of his job became a distraction and time was not on my side. We shook hands and exchanged emails and agreed that this conversation would not end. As I walked away he said something that I will never forget. He said....thanks. He explained that his religion prepares them for conversations with nonbelievers and trained them to walk away and not engage in arguing and defamation of their faith. He thanked me for being kind and not debating.
Oh What a GREAT God we serve. This gentleman didn't need to be hit over the head with spiritual laws and was not asking for a trip down the Romans Road. He responded to love.
I want to shout from the rooftop "THANK YOU JESUS"!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you for allowing an unshowered, sleep deprived, whiner be your voice
I now knew why we faced such obstacles on this trip.
Please pray for my new friend "D". Pray that he continues to search, pray that he continues to engage others in conversation.
