The timing is too coincidental to be a coincidence. God speaks to us and if we stop to watch, listen, and reflect we'll realize it. So, the timing?...
1. This was a FB memory from yesterday I re-shared yesterday:
2. Yesterday was my oldest son's Birthday, he turned 11.
3. Read my last post (from 23 days ago): https://www.thisismystoryjesusismysong.com/blog/it-s-been-about-a-year
4. I vividly remember thinking about Matt and his story; imagining what it would be like for my children to grow up without me. It broke my heart.
5. Today I see on FB that Matt's sister shared the following this morning:
6. It's been on my heart to start a small group at our new church here in Florida. People near me know that it's been on my heart, a calling, to be open about what I felt and went through. To share my story in hopes of helping others that may feel like I did. Last night and this morning, not even an hour ago, possibly around the time Matt's sister was sharing the video above on Facebook, I was discussing with my wife about starting a small group focused on fathers called Fatherly Focused.
Maybe you don't see all the micro connections and coincidences. I hope you do. I don't really "know know" Matt. But he's an inspiration for me. It's not fair but his family's hardships helped save me. THIS I KNOW. And if you haven't figured it out yet, my story isn't about me. It's about my song. It's about Jesus. All of us and our lives, their interwovenness, point to Jesus in one way or another. Life doesn't always appear fair from our vantage point, but I don't believe in coincidences. Things happen for a reason. While I'm not aware of any possible influence I could have had on Matt, I'm proud of him for how he has handled the circumstances he's found himself in and thank God for him and his family.