(February) A letter that say's it all...
Oftentimes, ministry is like an up-hill battle where the victories seem few and far between. All the hours, efforts, prayer, people, and conversations can sometimes feel overwhelming. Then, out of the blue, you hear a story or receive a letter that makes it all worth it. This is a letter Pastor Josh received that reminds us God is constantly working and that our job as Christ-followers is only to obey and be faithful. The Lord is good all the time, and this is just one of those amazing stories that demonstrate how He is working through Shepherd Sports. We wanted to share it with you...
Dear Pastor Josh,
Today God has put it on my heart to send you an official and proper thank you. I walked into the church office in hysterics in Late August 2008. My world had completely shattered around me and I truly had no idea what to do. I had never met you before but you were the pastor who was willing to talk to me that day. Our conversation focused around some broken dreams and a shattered heart about the loss of a loved ones job that was about to effectively alter the course of my life. I hardly remember what was said but all I do remember was being in the worst emotional pain I had ever experienced in my life. I did not know it then, but things were about to get even worse. You prayed with me and for me, invited me to the (then) new coed volleyball league and then I left. I was able to breath again after I left and the joy and distraction that volleyball brought me was a wonderful side effect to our talk. I made some amazing new friends through that league who further helped me through some even tougher times. It was no accident that you were the one to speak to me that day. I would probably have never signed up for the league if you had not mentioned it. You, and the sports ministry have been an unbelievable blessing in my life.
The last few years have been the hardest years of my life and there were days (many, many, days) when I thought I would just die of grief. However I am unbelievably grateful to report that as of today, February 1, 2011, I have just pulled through that experience. I have been uplifted and feeling better over the last three months but today was the day that the foggy haze of grief finally lifted. Over the years I was brought to my knees and forced to forsake everything I thought I wanted or needed and surrender to God’s will for my life. I fought that so hard for years and once I truly gave up, God began to slowly re-open doors for me. At first I walked through those doors with immense fear and hesitation but looking back now I realize I was being led to an amazing place in my life. A place much better than I ever thought I would be. Josh, it took over three years for me to consider myself “ok” and I can’t believe that phase of my life is finally over! I am overwhelmed with joy and gratitude. I had made some life changing choices over the last year and continued to feel weary about them but God showed me today at almost 10:00pm that I had done the right thing. This letter is not only a deep thank you but also something that I hope you can encourage others with. I thought my grief would never end but God is good and has showed himself to me in a way I have never experienced before. Sometimes when I see you at church I get teary eyed just remembering the circumstances that led me to meet you in the first place, but that pain is finally gone! Thank you for helping me (directly and indirectly) get to this place in my life.
Sincerely,
A Thankful Shepherd Sports Member
