Why SoCal? One Reason Among Many...

You knock on an unfamiliar door, you walk into an unfamiliar office, you drive to an unfamiliar place.  Then you introduce yourself and sit down in front of an unfamiliar face.  Such is the life of support raising.

I never know what the Father's purpose is for a particular appointment going into it.  Sometimes I know when I leave, at least partially, and sometimes I do not.  It may be for financial support; it may be for the Father to use me in encouraging the other person or their encouragement for me; or many other possibilities.  Most of the time a combination of several things.

I met with a gentleman in Raleigh, Steve, whom I did not know until this past Thursday.  A friend gave me his name and an introduction.  We spoke on the phone and then I walked in and sat down in his office.  And then the Father opened my eyes to see part of the reason for this appointment.

Turns out Steve is originally from Pasadena; about an hour from where we'll be moving.  He spent his first 25 years there, went to college there, attended church, came to know Jesus there.  Steve was part of our preparation for moving to California.  He explained to me some of the differences between there and here; he shared with me expected challenges we will face; he painted a picture of the average state of mind in the particular area we will be moving to.

And as he talked, my excitement grew.  I was saddened by the state of the hearts of the people he described.  But I was encouraged in knowing more about why the Father has led us to move to this area. Steve talked about materialism, which is a problem in all of America.  He talked about superficial conversations, again not a specific problem to southern California.  He shared the general monetary state of the families in the area.

All of these challenges and difficulties can be found in any town in America.  But to differing degrees.  And as Steve painted the picture of southern California, I saw the need.  And the Lord has invited us to be a part of meeting that need through the Gospel.  Steve said to me, "if you want to get someone to open up and to engage the real issues in someone's heart in the geographic area you're moving, ask them how they're doing... financially."  Bingo - my passion, personal finances.  

Really?  So to engage beyond the superficial, surface level conversation in this particular area of the country my best 'in' is to engage in a discussion about personal finances?  Wow.  God is good isn't He? This would not be the most effective route in all cultures or areas of the country.  But the majority of the time it will be in our new home.  

God showed me one more reason, on top of many others, He is leading us to move across the country.  He loves us enough to give these glimpses.  And to do it through people we never knew until now.  

I often walk into an appointment with a stranger.  But I always walk out with a new friend, a new brother or sister in Christ, and a bigger picture of my heavenly Father.

Thank you Lord.