Jesse

It was justified. Working from home. Being near his wife and children. But God's plan was bigger. It was such a struggle. One dead end after another. Like being in a desert. Dry and thirsty. No way to move forward. Every move blocked. In an act of frustrated desperation he gave in. Threw in the towel. So angry and confused. Willing at this point to try a different way.

Then he met Jesse. A punk kid of 17 years. He looked rough around the edges but there was a unique quality to him that was intriguing. A wisdom beyond his young years. A silent thoughtfulness. A pondering of things bigger than him.

Jesse questioned. Jesse watched. Jesse became one of his closest friends. Yet, Jesse was lost. Jesse lived for himself and hated the way things were going. Was this why Lord? Am I here because of this one soul? Does this one soul matter so much to you?

Yes!!

So he lived out his life before the boy. Sharing the Gospel. It fell on deaf ears. "Not yet," Jesse would say. "I've gotta get out of here first." He prayed and he waited.

In the meantime their relationship deepened. Jesse became a part of the family, sharing a family nickname and eating from his table.

Then Jesse announced he was leaving. Needed a change of scenery. Gotta get out of here. Selfishly, he didn't want him to go. They were friends. They were comfortable working together. Tearful goodbyes were hard to say.

Four short months later Jesse returned. Taller? Broader. A man now. Jesse had accomplished what he thought was the biggest challenge he could dream to face in his youth. He had struggled and met Jesus along the way. A Jesus that had been shared with him. A Jesus that had been lived out to him. A Jesus that Jesse now called his own.

So excited to share, Jesse told his story. Emotional. A story bigger than him. "Thank you," Jesse told him. I want you to know I was watching. I was listening."

He now dimly sees. He had been called to be a part of something bigger. And yes, one soul was so worth it!