Did I ever tell y’all the story about the time I ran into Kevin, one of the ministers at my church, at the park?
And how we’d never met before, but the previous weekend he’d preached a sermon that blew D. and me away?
And how, when we met at the park, we talked for about an hour while our kids played?
And how I thought The Meeting In The Park was a total God thing because I had been praying about starting a food ministry at our church, and I told Kevin all about it that morning?
And how Kevin and D. became great friends?
And how his wife Traci and I became great friends?
And how their son and Alex squeal with glee when they’re together?
And how they’re some of our favorite people in the whole wide world?
And how the food ministry has been great and all, but God was actually setting the wheels in motion for something else that morning? Something way bigger?
And how, about a year and a half after I met Kevin in the park, Emma Kate and Brad, along with some folks from their small group that had been praying about a church plant in Tupelo, visited our church to meet with some of the founding members (see item number four on this post) because they felt like they needed to seek some wise counsel?
And how Kevin – whom EK had never met though she had heard me talk about him a bunch since he and Traci are our, you know, friends – said a prayer at the end of the service that touched EK so deeply that when she told me about it, she cried?
And how EK and Brad and company went home and could not get Kevin off of their hearts?
And how, when I wrote this post, Kevin and Traci were the “other friends” who were coming to supper because EK and Brad were TOTALLY convicted that they were supposed to talk to them about the burden God had put on their hearts for a new church in their town?
And how, back in May, I wrote this?
“[EK and Brad] truly believe that for this [church plant] to come to fruition, they must first have God’s man. They have the resources to attract someone of the highest caliber, but obviously God has to turn that man’s heart toward Tupelo.”
And how God has in fact given them His man?
And how Kevin and Traci and their children are moving to Tupelo?
Because Kevin is going to be the pastor for The Church at Trace Crossing, which is the church that God had just begun to birth in EK’s and Brad’s hearts that Saturday when Kevin and I just “happened” to run into each other at the park?
Yeah.
That’s a good story.
And there’s a whole lot more of it to tell.
WAY cool!! I haven’t been blessed to be enough of a long-term reader to remember all of those stories, but isn’t God amazing and wonderful? How seemingly tiny, insignificant, “chance” meetings and happenings turn out to be a part of a HUGE, beautiful puzzle that is His Plan? I just love that!
*contented sigh* I just LOVE that story!!!
EK & Brad, we’re excited for y’all! I CAN NOT WAIT to hear all the amazing things God does at Trace Crossing! Hold onto your hats! :-)
How exciting! Aren’t you excited, Boomama?
Streaming tears, praising God.
Like I said this week in a profound moment of paramount importance, I just love the word “AND”!
cool.
Oh, I just love to hear about God’s providence. The way He’s always working behind the scenes and we have no clue what he’s doing. Thanks for the encouragement, Boo! Sounds like EK and Brad are in for some God-ordained fun.
Dontcha just love it when that happens?
Chills, tears, smile, more chills, goosebumps, tears, smile.
So many times I have been in the middle of a “obedience” project thinking,”Wow. Thank you for allowing me to be used, God.”
Then, Wham! He smacks me over with what He really has planned. I feel so humbled and thankful.
Thank you for sharing. You got me praying for all of you…
Don’t you love being the middle man in God’s plan? We’ve been that a few times and it is an awesome thing to watch play out!
Isnt it awesome how God does stuff like that, how He hs this awesome plan He is just waiting to set in motion, and all the while we have our little plan tht we think He is working on. What an awesome God.
Oh wow. I absolutely love to hear stories of how God orchestrates all the little details to move His plan forward. How exciting!
That is so sweet how God works through things and we are clueless to it.
That’s good stuff. GO GOD!
AWE-SOME!! Gave me God-bumps to read of His mysterious ways playing out in yours and your friends’ lives!! God Bless y’all!!
The Providence of God is undeniable, but amazing nonetheless! We serve a GREAT BIG God who still cares about the little daily things. How awesome!
See how God continues to show us that He’s got it all figured out? Great, great story and I’m so excited for EK & Brad & Kevin & Traci!
Welling up…if that’s even a word? When I read your TT I was thinking your secret had to something with EK & Brad. Was I right?
God Bless Trace Crossing, friends, relationships and Keving and Traci!
I love it when God lets us see some of His plans in action!! Hooray for ALL of you!!
Amazing! I know it’s cliche, but God does work in mysterious ways. I’ll be praying for the church and for them!
How neat! The only sad thing is I know you and your entire congregation are going to miss them terribly!
I am on the edge of my seat!! I can’t wait to hear more!! What a privilege to see God working and to just stand there and watch. . . while He works it all, does it all. . . Himself!! How cool!!
I forgot to mention in my email how very much I LOVE the colors and flowers on your blogspot!!!
What a wonderful story- God really is so amazing!
Wow, isn’t it amazing when we sit back and let God do the work. He does so much better than we could ever imagine! I’m so excited to read about what’s happening!!
God is sooooo awesome and amazing!! The things that can happen when we Let Go! Let God!
Can’t wait to hear more as the story unfolds.
How wonderful! Its so neat that you were able to help in the Lord’s work and assist in the new church planting.
be blessed
Melody
God just loves to pull that kind of stuff, doesn’t he. Actually, you know, this story begins way before the meeting in the park. It begins before time. Amazing stuff, that God can look down from outside the boundaries of forever and see us and love us and use us … when we let him.
Thanks for sharing. Such stories encourage us and glorify God.
Don’t you just love the way life is just full of “coincidences”? Wow!! If we can’t see God’s hand in all of this something is wrong. I am so encouraged when I hear about God working in the lives of His people. Most of all, I love answered prayer and obedient hearts. What a wonderful testimony!
It is just neat to see the hand of God in action. I love to sit back and just watch Him work. Tupelo is a great area. My mother lived up there last year and we took advantage of a place to shop. To live in a college town, we sure are lacking in the shopping department.
Blessings,
Trixi
It should not surprise anyone that God is good and works in His own way. In the past 6 years we’ve been married, my husband has held 8 jobs. Yes, 8. Sounds crazy, huh? But it has all been for a purpose: his going to Seminary. We couldn’t see it then, didn’t understand why things weren’t working out. Now, we know. God had a higher purpose.
Also, my stepmom went to MSU. We lived in Oxford for 5 years though. It was funny to watch her drive around with all those Ole Miss students all over the place. It still makes me giggle.
so cool to watch Him move…
How awesome!!!!
I think I need a nap after reading that post though. Whirlwind, I tell ya!
HOW GREAT IS GOD!!!!
This story really makes me happy!! My husband and I are going to be planting a church in January and can TOTALLY see God’s hand in everything that is happening!!!
Trying to find out more about the new plant – “church at trace crossing”. cnat seem yo find anything but here. i know of it sorta second hand thru my sister. i would love to be able to contact Pastor Kevin, find out more – schedules, etc…
Thanks for any help
D