the MOMENT NOBODY saw COMING

Recently I was doing a teaching at my church on the topic of “worry.”  Naturally I was telling parts of my own story—particularly what was going through my mind after finding out that I was responsible for an at-fault drunk driving accident where an innocent man was killed.  I was using my experiences to highlight the power of God in our lives – especially when all seems so hopeless. My parents were in church that day. After church was over, my mom was turning in a ‘response card’ to one of the ushers.  The woman collecting the cards looked down and after seeing my last name asked, “Are you Matt’s mother?” My mom said when she replied yes, the woman immediately got choked up.  She explained that through the entire sermon, she was wondering about “Matt’s mom” and what she must have been thinking when she got the bad news. Did she think his life was over? That they would never recover from such a blow? Could she ever imagine that he would be hired by a church and teaching from the pulpit? Could she ever see this moment?Tonight I will be attending a ministry called ‘Matt’s Stocking.’  Matt was killed at the innocent age of twelve- years -old and was a close childhood friend of mine.  In fact Matt’s life—and death—is part of my own testimony.  But that’s not what I want to talk about here.  I wonder as hundreds of people gather, for yet another Christmas season, to wrap presents for over 170 needy families--if Matt’s mom could ever see this moment when she received the gut-wrenching news of Matt’s death.  Did she think she could ever smile again?  Did she wonder how she would go on? Could she visualize the impact his short life on this earth would have on so many people—even this many years later? And during this Christmas season, I can’t help but think of another mother, one who bore a baby with the promise of kingship.  And yet, years later, she found herself standing at the foot of a cross looking up at a broken, battered, lifeless body of her beloved Son. Could she visualize that He would conquer the grave in three days?  Was her mind and heart focused on the hope and salvation His death would usher in for all of mankind?So the reminder is: No matter what circumstances you find yourself in, never underestimate the power of God to make beauty from our ashes; For Him to rebuild hope from hopelessness; For Him to bring so much life out of seeming death; For Him to paint the perfect picture of redemption with the colors of affliction. Who would have known such beautfiul moments would come? God did.