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Providence, Grace, & Gifts......

Friends, 


It has been awhile since I have written on the blog.  Honestly, my head and heart have been elsewhere.  These feet of clay can drift from time to time......and much of my focus has been on a new job, a new town,  a move, getting a website launched, blah blah blah blah....fill in the blanks.  I have allowed my edges to dull........and ultimately.....that is no way to live.   It is not sustainable.....nor passionate....nor filling.  In many ways, I have been on spiritual auto pilot since Mitchell's death......occasionally engaged......but not passionately committed.  Ain't pretty...but it is the truth.   I am so thankful for a loving Father that KNOWS me.....all of me....and loves me in spite of my faults.  I will praise my strong and mighty God, a Fortress, who has raised my life from the pit and has NEVER turned away from me.  My prayer is that in my praise for Him....I will come to serve Him....fully....faithfully.....fruitfully.  Jesus Christ has died for our sins and in doing so provided the Hope and the Victory for everything that we could ever endure or possibly face in this lifetime.  Christ has created me, and you, in such a unique and liberating manner.  In Him, we are perfectly equipped to handle everything that this life throws in our path.  
Christ has been working on my heart ya'll......and he has shown me much in the last 30 days.  Let me share a couple stories with you......so you can listen in.....on what He has been telling me.  
The message:  
"I love you.  I have all of this already put together.  If you open your eyes and SEEK Me.....you will see just how cool my plans for you truly are,  John David.  I have taken NOTHING from you....and have EVERYTHING ready for you.  Follow me."
March 12, 2010 - Denver Airport:
I am hauling butt trying to catch an earlier flight home to Austin on a Friday afternoon.  I have been gone a week and the girls will be flying to Austin the next day for spring break.  As I stand in line curbside at DIA - Southwest,  I am starting to get ticked.....cursing under my breath.....using the big words.....as I wait in line for 30 minutes.  
"Why can't these idiots in front of me see that I am trying to get home?  Maybe I should just go find another line - this SWA guy is a moron!"  
I take a breath and hear the Lord simply say....laughing:  "Shut up...and wait."  As I get to the counter......Mr. SWA Moron promptly and cheerfully bumps me up to the early flight, A2 boarding pass, and gives me a $4 refund.  
After I give him a $10 dollar tip.......Christ tells me:  "John David, so much of your life is just like this line.  I am ready to give you more than you had hoped for.....if you simply WAIT on me and TRUST in my plans for you.  You NEVER improve your lot in life when you take matters into your own hands.  Since you like to debate....how about you show Me a single example in which My plans have let you down?  You see this whole trip has been in MY hands the whole time.....from the company you have kept on the slopes to this encounter at the airport."  
It had been so long since I heard Christ speak to me that directly......that I nearly used the drink coupon that came with my new SWA Business select fare.  I smiled the whole way home.....
One Week later - Austin, Texas
It has been an awesome and exhausting week with Meredith and Tracy.  I have loved showing them their new town.....great weather, great expectations, and just flat out great to have my family with me.  However, as it may very well be for the rest of my days on this earth.......Mitchell is always missed.  We should have been already living down here for 3 years now......with much better fortunes professionally and personally.  I see him everywhere this time of year......we would already be playing ball by now....he would have been a holy terror at second base with 3 years of "healthy" under his belt.  Tracy feels it too....I can tell whenever we catch each others glance at dinner.  Meredith is a champ and is old enough now to just let us have our moments when the tears fall.....and she understands that it doesn't mean we love her LESS......we just miss Mitchell.
It is an exciting day though as we head up to place earnest money on our new home.  It is perfect in every way for us.  This is the home in which we will start a new chapter (hold right here and I will circle back to this point in the story)
***** Rewind:  September 26, 2007 *****
It was a dark day on the 10th floor of OU Med Center Tower.  We have been surrounded by friends for days and we know that this will be the last day that Mitchell will be with us.  The last sunrise....the last sunset.  His condition has deteriorated to the point that we know the end is upon us.  Mitchell's chapter of our family book......will end very soon.  The 26th of September will be always be the day that we knew it was over.....that night we gave kissed him for the last time......and he passed away early @ 3am the next morning.  26th day....9th month.....of his tenth year.  A New chapter for all of us.
March 19, 2010 - Austin, Texas
The papers are signed.....the house looks great.  We take a picture outside our new home for our realtors website.  Each of us is excited....and this house just feels so "right".....I can't put my finger on it but I just have such a peace about the new home.
March 26, 2010 - Austin, Texas
2 weeks after the airport "chat" in which I learned that God has the details and the plan. Our realtor, David Douglas, sends me an email with the photo of our family in front the new home.  He sends me a note with the picture that says.....I think Mitchell approves of this house.  I am brought to my knees as I look at the photo.....right off my shoulder is our house number:  2609
Through my sobs, the Lord says to me:  
"John David....I shall never leave you nor shall Mitchell ever be forgotten.  I have every detail worked out.....down to the house number.  This isn't an accident, dude!  Providence is how I work and you can see it all when you open your eyes to ME.  I am replacing 09-26  "tragedy and sorrow" with 2609 "new story".  Mitchell will always be with you and this house number will be a testament to MY goodness to your family every time you enter this new home.  Oh yeah...Mitchell DOES approve."
I serve a God that works through the darkest moments that this life has to offer to draw HIS people back to HIS arms.  In this Easter week, may we all turn our eyes to the home that has been prepared for those who accept the Gift nailed to the Cross.  Father, fill us with patience - lift the scales from our eyes and hearts - so that we may see YOU all around us......in all of Your Creation.  



Posted on Monday, March 29, 2010 by John Whitaker

15 comments (Add your own)

1. Kam wrote:
Wow, John! As I try to type this through tears, I am so grateful for this testimony today. It is exactly what I needed at this exact moment. I thank you, Tracy, Meredith, Mitchell and especially God for lifting the scales from my eyes so that I could see HIM all around me!

March 29, 2010 @ 10:24 PM

2. Lezli wrote:
Thank you John, and thank you God for reminding me that He has it all under control and I am to just TRUST Him and Praise His Name in all that I do! I needed to be reminded that He doesn't let go.. Ever! John, Tracy, Meredith and Mitchell, I love you all and am blessed to call you friends. I am looking forward, with you, to the next chapter.

March 30, 2010 @ 12:16 AM

3. Michael King wrote:
Thanks for sharing that John. I've taken what you've shared over the last couple of years and tried to learn and remember whats important when things don't seem to go the way I want them. God bless you and your family.

March 30, 2010 @ 12:25 AM

4. Rae Tall wrote:
BEAUTIFUL!

March 30, 2010 @ 3:46 AM

5. lezlie holliday wrote:
Thankyou. God and thankyou. John for sharing what. God is doind in you and thru you! This is exactly what. God has beeb teaching me...... open your eyes and. See me.... trust. Me. I have it all under control..... I was so touched by your story....as. I read thru tears...... can't wait to see what all. He has in store for your family!! Thankyou!! Go. Mitch. Go!!!

March 30, 2010 @ 6:26 AM

6. Renee wrote:
Wow! What an amazing and loving God we serve!! Thank you for sharing this!! I know that you'll have many more stories like this to come...how God has blessed you and your family! I love you ALL!!

March 30, 2010 @ 8:18 AM

7. Kari wrote:
Thanks John David! Love you and your beautiful testimonies! God has used in ways you'll never know! He is so good!

March 30, 2010 @ 8:26 AM

8. Jerrald Buchanan wrote:
Great stuff coming out of you.

March 30, 2010 @ 8:52 AM

9. David Felter wrote:
Great testimony!

March 30, 2010 @ 9:08 AM

10. Devin wrote:
Unfreakin believable. Absolutely amazing. Man your words are piercing. When I feel like I've lost so much or have so far to go, it's something like this that brings me back to center. There are so many things this world tempts us with and we give in to it almost on a daily basis. But man God is so much more. There's nothing that can even compare because if it even comes close, it's only for a brief moment and it's gone. Dude great stuff. I'm so excited about you all being in Austin. I have such great memories of that place when I was there. I can't wait to road trip down there and make some more. I appreciate you brother.

p.s. Close on a new house myself on Thursday, April 1st. So ready to get out of this apartment. It's time to move on. Gonna be back down in Norman near my kids. Should be really good. I'd love to have that print to go in my new house. Need to make that happen before you all are totally out of here. Take care.

March 30, 2010 @ 10:27 AM

11. Sam Curtis wrote:
John:

I am not one to comment on blogs but I read this and I need you to know that it has helped me. You probably think I am a baby, but I could barely get through the text. I still have a lump in my throat. I am very inspired by your continued commitment to honor your son, Mitchell, by honoring Christ. Sometimes my perception of Christ is contaminated by other interpretations, super churches, super Christians, and simply the world. You have reversed a lot of those contaminants in my heart. Thanks brother! I wish you and your family the best and I hope you love your new home.

Sam

March 30, 2010 @ 4:30 PM

12. Connie wrote:
You all constantly amaze me! Your strength, your grace at putting your thoughts to print, your strength and spirt, it is just inspiring. We are thinking of our Mitchell as we grab our gloves, bats and black cletes. We will all do our best to wear his number (Carson definitely has it and Kiki is begging her high school coach to order it because they currently don't have an 18 jersey), not sure how things will work for Coop, but if he doesn't get it, we will take it in to put 18 on the sleeve. GoMitchGo!

Your house looks welcoming and absolutely awesome! We love you! Happy Easter! God Bless! Your favorite family in Iowa, The Skinners

March 30, 2010 @ 9:18 PM

13. johnwhit wrote:
All humbly read, acknowledged, and appreciated. Love you all....and hey, I was crying as I wrote it......so I would almost feel cheated if you weren't touched while reading it. LOL! Love to all.....stay the course.

March 31, 2010 @ 8:53 AM

14. Deanna wrote:
So grateful He has brought you so far. He wants to not just sustain you, He wants to transform you. We must believe that God hears our prayers and will answer. Most frequently we fail in not continuing in prayer until the blessing is obtained, and not expecting the blessing. You have been blessed indeed.

March 31, 2010 @ 11:35 AM

15. jeff cox wrote:
dude that is old testament worthy! awesome...thanks for sharing bro!
you guys are loved and prayed for.

April 9, 2010 @ 9:46 AM

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