I had stood before
God and a church full of people and promised to provide for and protect Krisxan
Pappas “through times of challenge and need.” I vowed to devote myself to her
“every need and desire.” I declared I would be faithful. I had said those words with such joy and
conviction. I had meant them then, and I
would honor them now. I just didn’t know
how.
The Vow, Kim and
Krickitt Carpenter
For Mother’s Day, my children gave me the movie The Vow
along with the book that inspired the movie. Let me start by saying, if you have seen the movie,
the book is by far better. Of course,
Hollywood took a true-life story and turned it into a hopeless romantic type
fairy tale but the book, oh wow, was incredible. The story of this couple and their faith in
God through an enormous storm is more than inspiring. It is miraculous. It is the picture of God’s redemption, grace
and love. It is the example of God’s
heart and idea for marriage.
God is a God of second chances. This story is a great reminder of that. Sometimes I look at the broken pieces of my life
and believe that there could never be healing or hope. Then I am reminded of great stories
throughout the bible in which the most unlikely of candidates are used by God
to accomplish great things. People such
as David the shepherd as well as David the King, The Samaritan woman (from the
well), and Peter, who denied Jesus three times were all unlikely candidates
whom God used for His redemptive purpose. God takes what we see as impossible
and He turns those things into the possible for His glory. Just look at the couple depicted in this
movie. Would they have ever thought when
going through their tragic car accident that one day God would use their story
to show the world His faithfulness? It
is amazing. This young married couple
experienced several years of hell on earth but in the end, God did an amazing
work and is using that amazing work to make Himself known. Wow.
Just WOW! He is so awesome that
way!
It causes me to stop and put my own life into
perspective. I have a lot happening
right now. Many battles are still raging
but God is doing a work and making Himself known. He is the God of second
chances and though there are still battles, He is giving me a second chance at
love as well as life. He is taking two
broken people and lavishing His love and grace upon them both to form something
that neither ever expected nor experienced.
God is teaching us that He takes all things and works them out for His
glory. God is creating a message within our lives so that we may one day share with others His faithfulness.
Life is so unexpected sometimes. We think we know how a story
will end but then God reveals Himself. He reveals an ending that we would
have never anticipated. He reveals an ending that leaves us surprised by His
faithfulness. For a while, my story was
a horrific mess but God in all of His love, grace and faithfulness picked up ALL the pieces of the tragic mess and turned
it into a message of His love, His grace, His hope and His redemption. I used
to worry about what others thought about me but now I know who I am in
Christ and have experienced God in indescribable ways. I have seen Him move in my life in ways that
others will never know or understand. I have experienced His work in my heart
and have heard His voice when He speaks.
I know Him in a way I never have and because of that, I am getting a
second chance. I now have a powerful message to share and someone to walk along
side with me as I share. It is someone who experienced his own mess and
brokenness but also discovered God’s love and grace as well.
Oh the amazing ways in which God moves.
So unexpected! I am so looking forward to walking through life with my
best friend and love as we share that message of God’s grace and love together
with those who need to hear just as we did.
