What if

I told you God wants us to be happy?

I told you God wants us to trust him?

I told you God wants us to seek him?

I told you God can move mountains?

I told you God knows not “human time”, but “God’s time”?

I told you God hears your prayers?

I told you God has answered your prayers?

I told you I was hurting so bad on December 8th that I could hardly breath, so I left the house to go for a walk, climbed to the top of a rock, watched the sunset, prayed and the only word that could come out of my mouth was “more.” I prayed to God, “I need more, I don’t know what that is, but you do, I am ready for it, so please give it to me.”?

I told you I got this message that night?

“Hi Gabe,
My name is ___ and I was in the pledge class above Lindsay and I’ve been just devastated about her passing. I’ve always had trouble understanding the “why” and “how” when someone is taken so young. I’ve kept up with your blog and it’s truly been so inspiring to me. It’s actually strengthened my faith and encouraged me to live each day to the fullest.

Since Lindsay’s passing I pray for Lindsay, you, and your family every night. Less than a month ago, an aqaintance from high school named ___ here in ___ (where I live) lost her husband in a car accident. I found myself lying in bed one night praying for both of you and couldn’t help but notice the similarities in your situations. During that prayer I felt compelled to pass on your blog to ___. I don’t normally message people at random, so it felt awkward, but nonetheless I felt through my prayer that I should pass it on in hopes she would be comforted by your faith and knowing someone else was going through the same thing. So…I sent her your blog. Surprisingly, she responded immediately (taken back by the similarity) and thanked me for passing it on. She actually asked for your contact information, so I just sent her your name on FB and your blog address. I wanted to let you know and give you her contact info on FB. Her name is ___ from ___.

All that said, I wanted you to know that your writing is a true testament of your faith and I can clearly see God working through you. It is also helping others keep hope and faith in difficult times. 

I will continue to keep you and your sweet family in my prayers.”

I told you just a little bit later that night I received this message?

“Hi Gabe!

___ gave me your name and told me a little about your story. 

Gabe, I am just so sorry! My heart aches for you! From reading your blog and your fb wall, I am already in love with your sweet Lindsay! She is absolutely beautiful and I’m sure the most amazing wife/mom you could have ever dreamed of! I would have loved to have had the chance to meet her! She (you) has inspired me so much already! I can’t even imagine how she must have been in person! I look forward to meeting her someday! 

You both have touched so many people. I can see you have a very large support system as well, but there is just something about talking with someone who is actually living it. Right?

My husband, 18 month old daughter and I were in a car accident on 11/13. (two days after your anniversary) The other vehicle failed to stop at a stop sign and ___ was thrown from our car. I thought he was dead immediately but actually passed away a few hours later at a local hospital. Those images will last forever. (As I’m sure you can remember the most intimate detail of your last day together!) I would love to swap stories about our amazing spouses and our one-of-a-kind marriages! 

Can you be that person for me? Do you already have your “go-to person?” I would like to go through this grieving process with someone, and the obvious choice for me is YOU!  If you are up for it? I have learned a lot about this process and one of them being- everyone grieves differently! So if you don’t feel comfortable about this, I totally support and will understand completely! I just felt compelled to ask. 

God has given me so much peace! You will now be part of my daily prayers and I won’t stop praying for you and those sweet baby boys of yours! I pray he will give you peace and comfort everyday! We can only take this one day at a time!

I would love to stay in contact through texts and/or calls. Face-to-face at some point would even be better! 

Looking forward to hearing from you!”

I told you she lost her high school sweetheart my first day of my “healing” trip that I spent 8 days on?

I told you the week of “healing” for me was the single worst week of this person’s life?

I told you we began communicating and found comfort in each other’s pain?

I told you we could relate on every level from when and how we met our spouse to the faith we have in the Lord to the love we have experienced and lost?

I told you the first week she was thrown into my life, I smiled the first “real” smile since Lindsay had passed away?

I told you we met at the airport and I had more spiritual happenings in 12 hours than I have had in my entire life?

I told you God broke me that week and humbled me to the point of physical pain?

I told you HE lit my Spirit on fire and has restored me?

I told you we have talked every day since December 10th?

I told you we are in love?

I told you we will grieve our first love and continue to love them for the rest of our lives?

I told you we pray every day that we are following God?

I told you we stay conscious of keeping God at the center of our relationship?

I told you she is 28 years old?

I told you her name is Lindsey?

I told you we are not in control?

I told you I live this life for God?

 

Would you believe me?

Gabe