August 4, 2014 – A New Chapter Begins

If you are reading this on time – it’s Tuesday, but I’m writing on Monday. Your Monday may have been an ordinary one filled with routine tasks. Honestly, to anyone with a hidden camera our morning at the Jackson house may have seemed ordinary, but it was far from it. Oh, it started out like most others with a noisy alarm, breakfast, and some quiet time, but this is a day we have anticipated for quite a long while. This is signing day!

No, we aren’t keeping up with recruits for a particular sports team – Ron and his business partner are selling their company. Even as the blinking cursor moves across this page they are sitting across the table from buyers and attorneys. It’s been a long, grueling process – especially the last month. Phone calls, emails, and texts have pinged and bleeped from sunup to way past sundown asking for endless details. Emotions have run the gamut as questions persisted. “Are we doing the right thing?” “Should we?” “What if?” “Can we?” But, through it all God has been faithful. Anytime a doubt arose all we had to do was glance backward at how all the pieces of the puzzle fell into place at just the right time. God orchestrated every move. His fingerprints dot every piece.

Ron will be embarrassed I’m saying this, but I’ll say it anyway. 🙂 He’s the best teacher in the family. I’m in the unique position of getting to witness the time and care he puts into developing relationships. I’ve seen him mourn the loss of co-workers, grieve over firing someone, give more than one second chance, and hire those who needed a break. I’ve seen him rejoice over a job well-done, and then get mad as a mashed cat when someone didn’t do what they said they would do. I’ve seen him do great things, and I’ve seen his mistakes. But through it all, I see a man who truly gets the grace of God, and is much more willing to extend it to others than I am. Yes, he is definitely the best teacher in this pairing!

God’s blessed me with Ron so that together we have the opportunity to put God’s grace to work. Because of Ron’s example, I now have a better understanding of the God who mourns when we mourn, who grieves over the lost, who gives more than one second chance, and who enlists the needy into his ranks. It’s easier now for me to visualize the hand of God continuing to do great things in all our lives, and to know His heart is saddened by those who refuse His help.

Life-changing events tend to evoke reflection. Thanks for indulging me. We are praying this new chapter in our lives will reflect the grace, mercy, and peace God has blessed us with. Thank you for blessing our lives with your love and support. I love you all.

“I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:3-6)

P.S. Last week the bucket at my word well hit bottom with a thud. No matter how many times I lowered it hoping to retrieve a bucketful of inspiring words, none came. I was bone dry. Then something amazing happened on Wednesday – dare I say miraculous? I can’t wait to tell you about it – next week! Until then, give thanks for everything. God is good, all the time!