All my life You have been faithful
All my life You have been so, so good
With every breath that I am able
I will sing of the goodness of God

Goodness Of God - Bethal Music & Jenn Johnson

I have considered myself to be a Christian for most of my life. It’s only been in these past few years that I have tried to remind myself daily of that title. Growing up, it was a title that seemed pretty easy to wear. I believed in God, and I thought that Jesus was the son of God who came to earth to die for our sins. That part I never struggled with. I accepted it and thought that was what made me a Christian.

For most of my life, Good Friday was only thought of as the Friday before Easter. As I got a little older, it was a day off from work. I never put much more thought into it than that.

The other day, I was reading through the third week of my D-Group Bible study. The theme for that week was Love God, neighbors, and enemies. I read a verse that has stuck with me this week and is really on my mind today as it is Good Friday.

This is the verse that jumped off the page at me.

If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.

John 15:18 NIV

It makes me realize that there is nothing in my life that I have ever faced that Jesus didn’t already face. There is nothing in my life that I have ever met alone. That is extremely powerful to think about. It brings new meaning to Good Friday for me. My Lord Jesus died for my sins, and he died for your sins too. He could have stopped it from happening, but he didn’t. He chose to love us in unimaginable ways. He chose to die for our sins.

Last March, we all know that Covid-19 hit us hard. We became separated from everything we naturally love and take for granted—things like friends, family, and church. I remember last year that we were hunkering down from all the bad weather and tornadoes on this exact day. We also were not allowed to be in church on Easter Sunday, worshiping with our fellow Christian brothers and sisters. No, instead, we were watching our Easter Service on YouTube.

I have been separated from my family for over a year, and it hasn’t been easy on any of us. I have prayed that God would allow me to see them, but it has not happened. When Ashlie and I began planning our wedding and set the date, we were hopeful that everyone would be able to make it by April 3rd.

My family has gone through every emotion there is to go through together over this. It was never that any of them didn’t want to come. It was just the fear factor of traveling during COVID-19 and all that relates to that.

I remember when I came down with Covid back in February. It felt like destructive forces were doing everything to stop this wedding from happening. I remember laying on my couch and praying with tears in my eyes for God to please let me get married. I kept saying to Him, “God, all I want to do is get married and live my life to your glory.” I kept saying it over and over and over again.

I had come to terms with the fact that my family wouldn’t make it. As the wedding date grew closer, I was happy to be healthy again.

One day, I received a phone call from my family that they would come to my wedding. I felt like I was in a dream. I was in disbelief. I immediately felt like God was smiling while shaking his head that I ever doubted Him. Only God could put things in place the way He has.

God is so good. I am one day away from marrying my best friend, one day away from seeing my family, and only one day away from becoming the best stepdad I can be for three amazing kids. God has had his hands all over this, and I am so blessed and thankful for his love.

I want to honor Him in all things. I am so incredibly thankful for this blessing. I am in awe of His love, and I cannot wait to create a family that puts Him first and lives to His glory.

I cannot wait!