I Never Would Have Thought............................

Proverbs 16:9 - In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord DETERMINES their steps.

My father shared this verse with me when I was making big decisions after college. It's a verse that is comforting to the believer knowing that God is sovereign and knows what is happening in our lives, even the minute. As they say: "hindsight is always 20/20" and a person can only understand the why's to why God allowed specific circumstances in their life until afterwards. Many times God does not reveal to us the reasons for specific circumstances until months or years later. This blog post is a look at some past "I Never Would Have Thought" circumstances that God brought into my life. I can honestly say that I'm thankful for God providing and doing all of these things, yet most of these items I would never have thought or imagined would happen.

1. I NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT that one of my closest friends would be a retired doctor.
2. I NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT that God would miraculously save a senior in high-school at Momentum in 2009 and that he would become a fellow pastor and friend.
3. I NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT that God would use our youth program in such a powerful way not only in Kendallville, but across the United States.
4. I NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT that I would have the desire to pursue a Ph.D.
5. I NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT that our youth program would have a large number of students that would pursue full-time ministry.
6. I NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT that I would ever approach my 30's.
7. I NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT that God would use friendliness and an outward focus to reach so many teenagers in the Kendallville area for Jesus.
8. I NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT that I would be working with the staff at Grace Community Church in Goshen.
9. I NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT that God would use a college-bible study that I so passionately started to reach 20-somethings to introduce me to my wife.
10. I NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT that I would live to see a winning Pittsburgh Pirates season (fingers crossed).
11. I NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT that I would learn to enjoy the silence.
12. I NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT that I would ever live in and be so impacted and influenced by people in a town named 'Kendallville'/(Kendalltucky)
13. I NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT that I would be considered a 'youth ministry expert' by some.
14. I NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT that I would move, get married, and start a new job within a three month time period.
15. I NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT that Taco Bell would lose it's luster....it does young ones....it does!
16. I NEVER WOULD HAVE THOUGHT that I would experience so many highs and defeats in ministry in such a short time.

Whew! I'm glad God is in control.....I can't wait to update this list in another few years!