The Hounds of Heaven

Let me start by saying; Churches are like coffee, everyone likes their's a particular way. I was raised Roman Catholic, which to me is like having your coffee black. I need a little sugar, and a dash of milk, sometimes I like to mix it up with some chocolate or caramel. See what I'm saying? In order for me personally to respond to God, I need a preacher to be less formal, spice things up, it can't be the same black coffee everyday. Now, some people respond to that and it's great. I will never intentionally take something away from a place where God is working his magic.

I have always believed in God. Sure, as a child, I said stupid things like "How can God exist?" because I was young, self centered, and typically mad at the world because I was different. Veggie Tales would say "God made you special" and he did. My friends could play baseball, I could catch a baseball with my face, this little difference set me apart from most of my peers. I instead found talent in the Drama club. I started out acting, then writing, which lead to directing. This set me on a path that would shape my life and bring me to God once and for all.

The way I found God is much like the way I found my wife. I am a hopeless romantic, meaning I believe in true love, people being meant for each other and all the mushy stuff. The thing is it never happened to me. Just like I believed in God, I just never felt him around. So I had a series of bad relationships from high school to college. Girls who were just not right for me. It was much like trying to find a religion that suited me. Since, all I knew was the Roman Catholic way (black coffee), I had no idea of the different varieties Christianity came in. (The Creator is a very diverse being, and knows there is more than one way to get the message across.) So I thought all churches were like the one I grew up in. I read books about other religions and although they weren't bad, they didn't fit, just like those girls I dated.

My best friend found God before I did and tried to get me on the right path, I just didn't want to listen. I was dragged to Bible studies, an interview with his Pastor, but nothing worked. I didn't want to let God in. Let's just say, if someone doesn't want to listen they will build a wall around themselves and nothing can get in.

Finally, I am back in film school, this time in LA, heart broken, and beaten down. My friends keep telling me to get back on the horse, but every time I try things get worse in all areas of my life. Friendships are strained, car gets impounded, the ladies I meet are just jerks, and I start feeling like there is no hope. But what I didn't count on was that God made director commentary on DVD's. For some unknown reason I watch Bruce Almighty's commentary, and it's like the director is preaching to me about how God will place you at the lowest point in you life so you can find your way back to him and get to your true destination. This amazingly kept me holding on. This also lead me to calling my best friend and asking him relationship advice on God. This was all short lived because I didn't have a church or anyone to keep me accountable.

Now things got really bad. My friend in LA dropped out of school, his girlfriend moved in, and I was more alone than ever. This is where I first notice my wife. (She has been in school with me this whole time.) She steps out of the elevator and says; "Hey." It wasn't just a "Hey, man how are you doing?" Hey. This was a "Hey, big boy" Kinda hey. As time went by we started hanging out and became good friends. (Hang, in there, this all ties back to God.) Jenn (my wife), didn't want to be just friends any more, it was time to take our relationship to the next level. I was scared though, I had been burnt too many times before. I kept fighting what was there.

It was just like my relationship with God. I had been keeping him in the friend position, but he wanted more and I was too scared to give him that much. Then I went home for Christmas and found out what life was like without Jenn there. I couldn't stand it. The moment I saw her again I committed to her. This was God's plan all along, see my wife has a very strong grounding in her faith in Christ. By marrying Jenn, I was finally on the right path. She brought me to the church I had been looking for, and I was saved.

I was the stray sheep that my Shepard was out looking for. He tried everything he could to find me and get me back into his flock. He sent out his best hounds (suited to me), my friend, a favorite movie, and finally, the woman I had been looking for since I was five, Jenn. To seal the deal he sent my Pastor, who I swear is only talking to Jenn and I every Sunday, and everyone else there just gets to listen.

God wants us in his kingdom and he will stop at nothing to save us. Have you noticed anything like this happening in your life? Who are your "Hounds of Heaven"?