The Face I've Never Seen

My son* follows Christ.

I follow Christ.

My Dad follows Christ.

My Dad's Dad followed Christ... but not always:

My grandpa (William Isaac) was a hardened coal miner, bound for a life of misery followed by an eternal separation from God. And no doubt, his son (my Dad) would easily follow in his footsteps. But God had other plans.

Years ago, a relationship was formed in a small, coal-mining town in Western Pennsylvania. Someone was serving strong enough to engage my grandfather in a series of conversations. God used these conversations to get into the heart of William Isaac. God turned his life around and called him to a life of full-time pastoral ministry. Today I reap the benefit of knowing Christ because of someone I haven't met yet.

I've never seen the face of the person who was instrumental in my grandpa's conversation / conversion process. But in heaven, after I see the face of Christ, he (or she) is the next face I want to see. And I'll say thanks... for serving strong!

Are YOU serving strong enough to recognize a key conversation today? You may just be setting the course of multiple generations in one family. Stay strong!

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*NOTE: The men were only mentioned for simplicity of a blog post. Of course the women of the family are an incredible force in our family too!

Comments

[jasonS]

It really is incredible to think about the conversations and relationships that you never saw/experienced but have eternal impact on you today... It's pretty mind-blowing actually!

Simple obedience. I can serve strong and change the course of history... Sounds just like something God would do! Thanks Scott.

[Bill (cycleguy)]

Scott: sometimes it is so hard to feel as though one is making a difference in another person's life. I often wonder if I am. Then I am reminded of the passage that says "I planted, Apollos watered but gave made it grow." Sometimes I can only hope I am making a difference by trying to live for Christ.

[MichaelDPerkins]

I love this Scott. It amazes me how something that may not have seemed like much to the guy who took the time to talk to your grandfather changed an entire family.

[Scott Couchenour]

Jason - Incredible how God works through people, isn't it? Simple obedience. You pegged it!

[Scott Couchenour]

Bill - I go for days wondering if anyone is reading my blog or Facebook statuses. I wonder if I am making any difference in the lives of those I work beside each day. How do we know? Apart from staying close to Jesus and believing in faith that I am pleasing Him, I get confirmations from the encouragement of others.

This places a high premium on the little encouragement cards we send to others. Or those nice blog post comments, or a quick Facebook message or DM on Twitter.

[Scott Couchenour]

Michael - The power of conversation. Let me illustrate. Each morning on vacation, a man came to clean the pool area where we were staying. One morning, I felt led to encourage him (George) by saying what a great job he does and how faithful he is. That led to a conversation a couple days later where he asked me what I thought about Lebron James leaving Cleveland. That led to a conversation about the Miami Dolphins (my favorite team since childhood). I learned that he knew Don Shula and Dan Marino personally. A day later he brought some of the jersey's and autographed footballs he has - just to show me. We connected. He's not a believer (as far as I can tell) yet. We exchanged business cards. I will keep the conversation open. He may get me a shirt from training camp next month. I may be a conduit for Christ... keep praying. God's up to something in the life and family of George.

Exciting, isn't it, to serve a God who's still active and engaging?!

[Jay Cookingham]

WOW...what a awesome story...that person took a step of faith and helped fuel a generation's hunger for God...that's serving strong!

[Scott Couchenour]

Exactly, Jay. May we each have similar stories being posted about us long after we're gone...