The first year Jason started having poker tournaments at the house it made me kind of nervous. Just a lot of people, some of them drinking, in our basement until the wee hours of the morning yelling and hooting and hollering.
We were the new people in a quiet little neighborhood and I was always afraid someone was gonna get out of hand or there was going to be a fight or something.
One night about a half hour before everyone started to show up, Jason was out doing last minute errands, and I got on my knees and said a prayer. I can't remember everything I said, but I do remember asking God to be present in my home and for the people visiting to feel his presence and his peace.
About 1 in the morning, my friend Anita and another girl and I were upstairs chatting, and we heard a round of gunshots go off outside. 4 or 5 shots real fast. We just kinda stared at each other in horror for a moment and then I got up to run downstairs and get Jason. The moment I got to the landing, the person who fired the shots came through the back door and we stood face to face. I said 'what are you doing???!!!' and he turned around went out the door and left.
Chaos ensued over the next hour or two. I was completely flipping out. Kept waiting for the cops to show up. Completely mortified at what my neighbors were thinking. We did figure out he had shot them up into the air.
One of the most unpleasant things I've had to do is going door to door the next morning and apologizing to our neighbors, some of whom were pretty upset.
And without going into details, a lot of stressful times and worry followed that night.
And I have to admit I kinda was like, what is this some kind of joke? After I prayed that prayer, that horrible night ensued. Where was God's presence or peace in all that?
But this morning I was laying thinking about it all and had to smile.
First of all, I think of how we collided at that same second on the landing and he left.
If he had went into the crowded basement, who knows what could have happened. He wouldn't have been met with friendly smiles, I'm sure things would not have gone well with my husband, and we know this person was already in a pretty reckless, unstable mood and armed.
So right there, God maintained peace and possibly more in my home.
Then I think of how after that we never played poker with the same group of people. Not that I didn't like those people, but it was a little more of a rambunctious crowd. Since then Jason has hooked up with people who are all into the strategy of the game. Its like a sport for them. A lot of them are dads and they don't drink and they are super quiet. And super nice. They don't even wake Gianna up. Its almost like they're down there playing chess!!!!! And some of them are Christians!
And after that night I never played poker again. I never really enjoyed it that much anyway and I guess that just really turned me sour. Too long of a game and I don't like it. I feel sorry for people when I take all their chips and could never bluff.
So now its just kinda fun having people over and on their break Gianna and I hang out with them and eat pizza.
And also after that happened I really believe God put it on my heart to pray for that person. I had no animosity but truly spent a lot of time in prayer for him for some time after it happened. I also sent him an email and shared with him the story of how God had come into my life and totally changed me. I have no idea if there has been any effect on his life as a result, but God's thoughts are above our thoughts and his timing is not ours, so who knows if he was using my prayers and my story for some greater purpose down the road in his life.
So sorry for doubting you God! Sometimes we can't see the great ways in which you are working. Especially in the midst of unpleasant circumstances.
You are Good. All the time. All the time, You are Good. : )
Isaiah 55:8-9
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the LORD.
"As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Psalm 4:1
Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer.
Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer.
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