ONE GOOD MAN

 

Some of you will recall, two years ago, while I was in Spain, I had to make an emergency trip to California at the passing of my brother.  It was a very difficult time, creating quite a stressful situation for my family.  I remember at that time, a question arose among some of my friends of how God could permit bad things to happen to good people.  That was the same question I was asking God about my brother and his family.  But God in His infinite ways knows how to comfort us in our pain, and how to heal the suffering that we go through at the loss of a loved one.  No it isn’t easy.  But when we put it all in perspective, and try our best to see through God’s eyes, He always shows His love grace and mercy.  You are about to witness the way that grace has portrayed itself in the story my niece. 

Two years have now past, and I would love to share a story with you of how God’s grace infiltrated the life of the daughter of “One Good Man” 

I'm sitting here thinking on the two year mark of my dad's passing and praying that this letter finds all of you in a great place today.  There are still many days when I wish that dad was here to see my girls growing up, or to see the new grandchild that Mike and Crystal have on the way.  Although it never gets easier, I think we have all learned to live differently without him and are doing well.  Knowing that he is in Heaven and that one day we will see him again is the one thing that makes it all easier.

My life has changed tremendously in the past couple of years.  I know that God has used dad's passing to do a great work in my life.  At our March bible study at church, in honor of St. Patrick's Day, we were asked, "What is the luckiest thing that has happened in your life?"  The conversation turned from luck to blessings when someone stated that they don't believe its luck, they believe that God blesses us.  As I thought about that, I realized that my dad's passing has been the greatest blessing in my life.  I know that may sound strange and I would give anything to have my dad back.  But, I know that I am closer to God today than I have ever been before.  I know that the change is because I now focus on my home in Heaven more than I worry about my life here on earth.  I don't believe this change would have come if it weren't for the pain of losing my dad.  This focus on my Heavenly home has made me realize that I want to bring as many people with me as I can.  I no longer want to go to church and just "fill a seat" in the sanctuary.  I want to serve God and let others know the reason for my joy. I was so blessed to be raised in church and to have a wonderful family with a history of serving God.  But I think that I took it for granted and never realized that my personal relationship with the Lord wasn't where it should be.  I just coasted along and never really did my part to spread God's word.  That part of my life is over.  I now lead a women's bible study at our church and serve on our church board.  I would have never thought that I would be speaking in front of others, but God can use anyone!  He definitely gives me the words to say and the confidence to say them.  I also realize the importance of spending time in God's word and seek to grow closer to Him every day.  God has spoken to me more through devotions in the past year than ever before and I know he is still working.

I know that God has a plan for my life and I know that He has called me to serve Him.  As a college student, God placed a very real call on my life to be a missionary.  I didn't know then what I would do for sure and I still don't know exactly what He is calling me to do, but I know that I am more than ready to say "yes" to whatever it is that He will have me do.  I know that having a family and young kids definitely makes it harder to leave and serve God in other places now.  But I am ready for God to work it out and for things to fall into place whether that means that I will serve Him abroad or in my own town.  I am so thankful that God can take our tears and turn them into something wonderful.  I would give anything to have dad back with us, but I also wouldn't trade the relationship that I now have with my Savior.

Thanks for taking the time to read a little bit about what is happening in my life recently.  As I said before (probably in the note I sent a whole year ago), I know that I am not the best at keeping in touch with everyone, but I do love hearing from you guys when you get the chance.  And I will try to do better on giving everyone updates about what is going on here in California.    I would love for us all to be able to get together again some time.  We will have to find a place to all meet in the middle.  

Love, Julie (Caton) Strieff

My brother was the type of guy that not only understood, but also lived the kingdom life.  In these days it gets harder and harder to find people who really understand what it means to walk the kingdom walk.  My Brother lived that kind of life.  

We often forget the great commission tells us to carry the Gospel around the world, but we also often forget where the great commission begins.  It begins at home, on our doorstep, at work, at school, at play: in our Jerusalem.  That’s where it all begins.  From there it spreads out around the world.  

That what my Brother believed, and that is the type of life my niece is practicing.  God help us all to be that kind of Kingdom servant. 

Dock Caton  04/29/13