I think I've decided on a theme for my blog, or "rant board" as it so often turns into. I've recently noticed too much to keep quiet how much God, my Father, has intervened in my life. As a small token of my appreciation and in an attempt to help anyone who might read one of my posts, I'd like to briefly discuss the things that have happened in my everyday life that I felt were guided by an unseen hand. I don't expect this to be a daily post. With my track record of blogging or journal writing, I might be lucky if I can do it once a week. But I feel like so many people have their eyes adjusted to very specific parameters, but often times God does NOT work within them. We miss the things he does. We miss the opportunity to exchange a smile with a stranger that might lighten up his day. We miss the opportunity to exchange a smile with a stranger that might lighten up our day. We don't fully appreciate the compliment from an elderly woman. We overlook the roof above our heads, loved ones surrounding us, and the food sitting in our stomachs. God will slip into our line of sight just often enough for us to remember him, but will not stand in the way eliminating our need to look by faith.
I came home from my mission with very high hopes. I had recognized significant changes in my own personality, and was so excited to share them with my friends, because I felt being a better person would only strengthen our relationships. I found myself more often than not sitting at home doing little more than sit and watch tv shows that aired while I was in Japan. My friends had relocated and moved on with life, while my new personality was stuck in my lifestyle of 2 years ago. Frustration and confusion were abundant for me. On top of that, I faced hefty tuition rates for school. The 3+ jobs that I had lined up before I even left Japan were not coming through. I got in an accident....but wait! Somewhat ironically, the accident was exactly where the little miracles began. My family bought me a 1986 GMC S15 Jimmy to work on as my project. It has been fun, but it has its fair share of problems. On one specific day, I was driving to the airport to pick up my brother. Everybody was headed into town for my homecoming talk in church. On the freeway, my wheel came off the car, stripping the lug studs, breaking one, and throwing the tire down the road. I obviously panicked a little. The cop shows up and asks for my insurance. I realized that we hadn't received a card yet, but my mother had JUST insured the car earlier that week. On top of that, the moving permit we were using on the car expired THE NEXT DAY. Just a few days earlier or later would have meant a much more weighty ticket. While waiting for a tow truck and the cops to show up, I had the opportunity to talk with the traffic patrol dude that pulled over to help me. I shared with him about my mission experience in Japan, and he told me about his love for Japan. He went on to tell me more about himself, his life, the tattoos he has, and etc. In the middle of it, he interjected and said, in a puzzled tone, "Wow, I've never talked to anyone like this!" I had been praying earnestly for opportunities to share the gospel after spending 2 years doing it full-time and I thought that was my opportunity. But, we started getting busy with various things: towing my car, filling out paper work, etc. Everything finished up and I loaded into the tow truck. After some phone calls, I sat quiet with the tow truck driver. I decided to have a friendly conversation...honestly to keep myself from crying. I mentioned my returned missionary status, and he informs me that he, himself, was a member that had not attended church in a few years for personal reasons. We talked a little about the church and faith. He was a very real man and had sincere desires to return to activity. I invited him to come back to church and read the Book of Mormon. After he lowered my car and before he took off, he shook my hand and, looking me in the eye with a big smile on his face, said "Thank you, Aaron. Thank you." Now, I don't think that God pulled the wheel off my tire, but I think that he did arrange the routes and schedules. I do think that hearts were prepared...including my own. In regards to the accident, it only made me feel worse. I wanted even more to be in Japan. I felt out of place. I didn't feel right. But I look back on it and I know that I have successfully been where I needed to without being a full-time missionary.
God answers our prayers. He gives to those who sincerely, diligently seek(someday I'll remember there's only one 'l' in diligent without spellcheck). We are that we might have joy. Commandments were made that they might be kept. And the Gospel is that it might be shared.
God's hand is everywhere! What has he done for you today?
