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Featured story "CROSS ROADS"
CROSS ROADS...
Have you ever found your self at an unexpected cross-road in life? Sometimes we as Christians step forward and out in faith, thinking we're making prayerfull choices in life only to find ourselves at that unwanted, unexpected - cross-road. . We then start to question the Lords intent for our lives and our own in-ability to understand the faith we thought we had in the first place. Kicking ourselves for making the choices we did. Don't worry, a friend once told me that no mater what path we take in any area in our lives, the Lord always seems to use that path to somewhat redirect us straight back to him. Whether you take the path to the right, or to the left, you will hear a voice behind you saying ' This is the way ; walk ye in it.' Isaiah 30:21 . .
I have found myself at that "cross road" more than once in my lifetime, but the one that I have been up against lately began in September of last year, 2005. For the entire month my kids, my grandkids, my friends and I spent every posible minute building our new family flower shop togther. We got durty,we got hungry, but we got it done and together!... just in time for the opening day. The only thing is.... that same day , my 29 year old son Israel , suffered a stroke and was rushed to the hospital.
After spending three weeks on life support, battleling one thing after another, complicated with a defective heart valve, My son Israel passed away in the early morning on October 17, 2005. It's only been about 8 months since then. And amidst all the hurt that is still so tender, I still think, mabie if I had done things differently back then; if I wasn't so pre-occupied with business I would have noticed that Israel wasn't feeling so hot; maybe I could of gotten him to the doctor sooner he'd still be alive today. Not only did I start questioning the faith I had in trusting our Lord, I questioned God himself - why?! ...when I had so much faith in him that Israel's body would heal and stay alive. What did I do wrong? What direction should I have taken back then before all this happened ? We always say "If I knew then what I know now , things might have been different."
Well, let me tell you something. Since that day in September 2005 when my son fell ill, people reached out to each other; people were wittnessed to; people were saved and lives were changed. Small things to people like us , but really grand in God's plan. I know that Israel would give up his own life for the salvation of another. Thats how much he loved the Lord. And now I know that in spite of everything, I will always treasure the family time we shared getting our family business together even though it's no longer there.
It's not really what path we choose or the choices we make, it's how we choose to glorify God in the process and how we deal with our circumstances along the way. The one special thing I know now is - I will see my son Israel face to face again in the wonderful glory of heaven.
KristiAnn
The picture below was taken at one of the many trips to the lake for camping and fun. Beginnning at your left in sunglasses is Craig , Israels best friend and soul brother. The tall one up behind Craig is Tyler, Israel's baby brother. Next is "big Jeff" then "little Jeff" really good friends of the family, and the goofy one on the end with his tongue hanging out is Israel.
