Our time with Brandi came to an end 10 years ago today, so this is a good time to look back at how far the Lord has brought us since then.

When Brandi was sick, we talked about seemingly everything. In those conversations, Brandi made it clear that she had full faith that the Lord would provide all that I needed to accomplish everything in front of me. So, later, when I had nothing left to give, I was able to remember and trust her wisdom and lean into the Lord’s provision that he has amply provided.

Here are just a few examples of many.

He first provided a job for me that is so perfect for my interests and family. There is nowhere else where I can train engineers and make disciples at the same time. I get paid to learn new things and teach them to my students including how to be good at their jobs and how scripture integrates into their professional life. I get to have summer and winter breaks to spend time with the family and do interesting consulting. I get international students helping in my lab that leave with an understanding the gospel. It is the best of every single world to go to work to teach, do great engineering work and be in a niche mission field.

He provided Kristen to join us and make a new family. She is an amazing wife and helper to me and her loyalty and care for others is unmatched. We share jokes and friendship and get each other like no one else. I love her dearly. We all do. She is teacher and momma to the kids, and they thrive under her wisdom and love. Eli is the funniest kid we have ever met. He is a nut with big ideas and one day is going to build something great. Felicita is the blessing we all prayed for and no baby around has a bigger built in fan club. She is very social and her attention is definitely sought out in our house.

He has provided increasing closeness with our family. My parents were able to move here a few years ago to be just a few minutes away. We are as close to the Schlutermans as we ever were. Just this week we got to all camp-out at the farm and enjoy Christmas time together. Kristen’s sister’s family has moved back to Waco, so our clan of regular family time is growing.

Brandi was as sure in the Lord providing for us as she was in her peace in Christ. She was confident God was not wasting anything and she was right. A decade that started with us covered in a river of healing tears is ending with us covered in a waterfall of blessing. As it turns out, both were from the same source of living water.

If you are going through your own trial right now, know that the stormy waves are also from God’s living waters. Lean into and run to the one who both creates and calms the storm.

If you have lost someone you love and are tired of the burdens of this life, let your river of tears heal you and refresh yourself in His living waters.

If you are in a season of plenty, know that this flood of blessing is also from His living waters and turn your attention to others in need.

If you are still striving to earn God’s favor and thirsting for righteousness, come and drink His living waters and you will never be thirsty again. You can rest from your labors that will never give you what you seek.

Come and Drink These Living Waters

John 7: 37-38, On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.  Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’”