A few days ago, while rummaging through a desk drawer, Jan found an old business card. It was a card I had made for our time in Europe when we lived in Berlin, Germany, and were assigned as Area Coordinators in Eastern Europe for the Foursquare Church.
The business card reveals the providence of God and how He affirms our decision to follow Him. We lived in a section of Berlin called Lichterfelde which translates to mean “field of light.” Our street name was Am Pfarracker, “the pastor’s field.” To top it all off we lived in apartment 23 which is the Shepherd’s Psalm. The business card reveals that we lived in a field of light on a pastor’s field under the care of the Great Shepherd. You can’t make this up. It was a work of God to confirm for us we were in the right location.
I only discovered these word meanings after living in Berlin for a while and picking up some of the language. When our time in Berlin came to an end, the Lord led us to Medford, Oregon to pastor a local church. After a couple of years, we moved to a nearby small historic town of Jacksonville. One day while on a date, Jan and I visited a local pioneer museum to discover, to our surprise, that my ancestors were on the Applegate Wagon Train, the first wagon train to cross our valley in 1846. My mother’s maiden name was Boone, and our family is related to Daniel Boone the historic figure. Some of his offspring are buried in the pioneer cemetery located at the edge of our town.
I shared all this personal history to encourage you to research the history and meaning of the place you have been called by God to live. Somewhere in the depths of the local history, you might discover a deeper revelation that confirms why you are there. We are all being led by God. His leading is never by happenstance.
Twenty years ago, soon after Jan and I bought our small cottage in Jacksonville, we also bought two burial plots in the historic cemetery. This week our headstone will be installed. We made those arrangements so our kids won’t have the hassle when we pass. Each time I drive back into our small town, I am struck by the goodness and sovereignty of God to have put us in a place that carries significance for us personally and affirms His leadership. Those connections confirm the loving and caring nature of the Lord we serve. They also build our faith and our trust in His leadership.
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That’s really neat.
I’m related to Daniel Boone also. It was a wild God story…we are oringlaly from Ohio. God moved us to Mt Carmel Illinois (amazing long story!!!) I don’t have family out here… When I researched our town and our home I found Daniel Boone’s family lived here and played a major role in the grain mill that was built on the river my home overlooks! The grain mill lead to the area being developed and being a center of commerce. The Boones settled the first town in Illinois…which is about thirty min from my house too. I’ve been there and it was just so surreal that God lead me to a state I would have never picked to live in that has soo much of my family history here. Even the street I live on is rich in history I had no idea had a connection to me!!!
Your business card… Wow..what a awesome confirmation when its coupled with your story? I had a dream about being handed. a business card awhile back. I had forgotten about it till now. I knew the drema was a God dream, but the time for its interpretation never really came about. LOL till today.
I’ve been struggling with remaining here in a state so far away from home…why are we still here? I hvae grandabies coming in Ohio and have yet to make friends or connections out here. I asked God for direction.
And here sits your post.
The grain thing is another dream. I had never connected the dreams (grain and business card) with the family history of the town I live in till I read your post. And it was like a lightbulb was turned on in a dark room…and I knew. And His peace just blanketed the whole moment.
Thanks Garris. I really needed this confirmation today.