It's been one month since I received a phone call from Ben saying that he was involved in a shooting. We've done a lot of "if this, then this..." or "what if..." and had lots of conversations about the events. We've both dealt with the replays in our minds. Obviously Ben's are more vivid ... and well, real. Whereas my imaginary replays lead me down all sorts of roads that no one wants to go on.
And through this journey we've been discouraged, angry, a little fearful and fighting bitterness.
But, those things have begun to fade. And we see clearer each day that God's plan stands firm in the midst of trials. A wonderful friend wrote me a note the other day in which she said, "It's so neat to hear how God is using this entire tragic event, for His good, and how you guys have seen the opportunity through it all. Reminds me of this verse in Genesis (50:20) where Joseph is speaking to his brothers, 'As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive.'"
And so we make it our goal to bring about good and not allow Mumford, Clayton or the devil to have a foothold in our lives.
We have been incredibly blessed to befamily (it's like befriending, only better) Dennis and Tammy Cain. Dennis is the chief of Sumner who was shot in the arm, hand and neck. In the month that has passed we have seen them at least 7 times. Ben has prayed with them on two different occasions and our church body has been abundantly providing for their needs through prayer, meals, money and gift cards. They have truly helped us be Christ to the Cains.
We have seen a need in the police community that we have not seen before ... at least not at this magnitude. The need that we see is that police officers and their spouses (especially in small town Iowa) can be very lonely and in need of friendship. Needing someone to listen and to hear the cry of their hearts. Needing someone to help carry the burden.
Because while most people complain about that Pig that arrested their cousin (twice removed) on a drug charge that caused him to lose his job and his kids... nevermind that said cousin was manufacturing meth in his home with his young children there and already about to lose his job because he was too strung out to get to work... somehow we fail to realize that that Pig and his wife are longing for a friend to hear their side of the story.
And our hope is that God will give us a ministry to lonely, worn out, burdened officers and their spouses. We are thankful for the opportunity to bring the good news of Jesus to Dennis and Tammy. We are thankful to invite them to be a part of our family of families. And the reality is that they are just really fun people to be around. They are carrying this burden with grace and laughter... strength, dignity and determination. We are blessed just to know them.
And it all started with a call on the radio of shots fired.
And through this journey we've been discouraged, angry, a little fearful and fighting bitterness.
But, those things have begun to fade. And we see clearer each day that God's plan stands firm in the midst of trials. A wonderful friend wrote me a note the other day in which she said, "It's so neat to hear how God is using this entire tragic event, for His good, and how you guys have seen the opportunity through it all. Reminds me of this verse in Genesis (50:20) where Joseph is speaking to his brothers, 'As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive.'"
And so we make it our goal to bring about good and not allow Mumford, Clayton or the devil to have a foothold in our lives.
We have been incredibly blessed to befamily (it's like befriending, only better) Dennis and Tammy Cain. Dennis is the chief of Sumner who was shot in the arm, hand and neck. In the month that has passed we have seen them at least 7 times. Ben has prayed with them on two different occasions and our church body has been abundantly providing for their needs through prayer, meals, money and gift cards. They have truly helped us be Christ to the Cains.
We have seen a need in the police community that we have not seen before ... at least not at this magnitude. The need that we see is that police officers and their spouses (especially in small town Iowa) can be very lonely and in need of friendship. Needing someone to listen and to hear the cry of their hearts. Needing someone to help carry the burden.
Because while most people complain about that Pig that arrested their cousin (twice removed) on a drug charge that caused him to lose his job and his kids... nevermind that said cousin was manufacturing meth in his home with his young children there and already about to lose his job because he was too strung out to get to work... somehow we fail to realize that that Pig and his wife are longing for a friend to hear their side of the story.
And our hope is that God will give us a ministry to lonely, worn out, burdened officers and their spouses. We are thankful for the opportunity to bring the good news of Jesus to Dennis and Tammy. We are thankful to invite them to be a part of our family of families. And the reality is that they are just really fun people to be around. They are carrying this burden with grace and laughter... strength, dignity and determination. We are blessed just to know them.
And it all started with a call on the radio of shots fired.
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