The Rock

Matthew 7:24-25 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, may be compared to a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.”

We had some rock delivered a couple days ago. It wasn’t for the foundation of a house, but rather for a driveway/parking spot so we can get onto our new property without getting stuck. (Twice now we’ve had to ask a neighbor for his chain and help in pulling our big van out of the mud there.) It was exciting to sit under the gazebo watching the dump truck pour out rock. It was a cool visual reminder that everything we build on this property must be founded on the rock of Christ. The kids were also excited watching it pour neatly out the back of the truck, creating an instant driveway. But then something happened, the truck stopped and the instant driveway turned to an instant rock pile. I knew something was wrong when the two workers got out and walked to the back of the truck and stood there for a minute, staring at the ground. They were stuck! One of the kids said, “We can help push.” (obviously experienced with being stuck in the mud!). The driver called his dispatcher and then walked over with his head down preparing to inform me that we would need to pay for a wrecker to come and pull them out OR pay for another load of rock so another truck from their company could come and pull them out. Fearing I might be being taken advantage of, I called Tim. He calmly reminded me that it was just money and that we probably needed more rock anyway. I think the truck driver was a bit surprised when I said with a smile, “It is fine. Go ahead and send for another truck of rock.” It was one of those times when I felt the Holy Spirit’s presence because I’m normally not as cordial when circumstances seem unfair, and something about us having to pay to fix this problem didn’t seem right. Through God’s power, however, I was totally okay with it.

This gravel company was about 30 minutes away so we had nothing to do but wait for the truck to get there. I invited the 2 men to sit in the chairs we had under the gazebo. The kids and I chatted with them while waiting, talking mostly about the dark rain clouds rolling in that would make it nearly impossible to pull the truck out. At one point I looked out at the huge tires sunk in the mud and wondered, “Why has this happened?” Even the driver didn’t understand because he surveyed the area before beginning and didn’t think it would be a problem. He admitted that he couldn’t remember the last time they got a truck stuck like this. I wondered if it might have been an attempt from the enemy to try and stop us from doing God’s work here. That thought made the situation a little more exciting knowing that we are on the winning side of any spiritual battle going on (Romans 8:31- “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?”) Somewhere in the middle of the small talk, I thought maybe I should ask if they knew Jesus. As I was going back and forth in my mind trying to decide how to insert that question, one of the men asked, “Where do you go to church?” I had to laugh, a little relieved that he opened the door for a discussion about God first!  Our conversation immediately turned to a deeper discussion of church and God. He went on to share how this was his 1st day on the job with the rock company after a recent  accident that almost took his leg. It happened while riding a 4-wheeler and he crossed a railroad track without hearing the train coming.  Doctors told him he’d never walk again. He explained how he realized when he didn’t die from the accident that it was God who saved him, and he knew he needed to give his life to Him. He spoke of the true joy that only comes from knowing Jesus Christ as Lord. I was so encouraged!

Just before the 2^nd truck arrived, I asked him what his name was so Tim and I could pray for him. He told me his name was Brent and that he desperately needed prayers. He went on to explain that he still has pins in his leg from the accident that needed to come out a year ago, but he hasn’t had enough money for the surgery- thus the new job. I told him we would pray. About that time the rain began to pour so the kids and I hurried into the van where we could watch the truck pull. I picked up my checkbook to write out a check for the rock and had a strong sense that I needed to give a little something to Brent as well. I immediately knew why the truck got stuck. God was going to use us to bless someone else in much the same way we have been blessed by others’ generosity. Or maybe it was an attempt from the enemy to discourage us in this first project on the property, but God was using it for good.  (Romans 8:28 – And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”) Either way, God got the glory! Hallelujah!!!

Later that evening, we got a call from Brent’s pastor. He said Brent was so full of joy after receiving the gift that he went straight to the nursing home where this pastor was preaching so that he could share with him. The call was a tremendous gift to us and a reminder that if we want to receive other blessings God has in store, then every single project we pursue on this property must be founded on The Rock, Christ Jesus.  Oh, praise Him!!!